The District of Sparwood operates and maintains two cemeteries in Sparwood – Elk Valley (Michel) Cemetery and Rivercrest Cemetery. They offer traditional in ground burial for both casket and cremated remains.
Additional options for cremated remains include columbaria (above ground wall structure) and a memorial wall available at the Elk Valley (Michel) Cemetery. We work with families to honour the final wishes of those that have passed before us. We believe that a cemetery is a place for the living to remember lives lived in a park-like, peaceful setting.
Cemetery Hours
The Elk Valley (Michel) and Rivercrest Cemeteries are open from sunrise to sunset each day and closed during darkness hours. Any person in the cemetery outside of these hours without special permission may be subject to a fine.
Elk Valley (Michel) Cemetery
Located at 425 Michel Creek Road, with access off of Industrial Road 1, the Elk Valley (Michel) Cemetery is the oldest and largest cemetery in Sparwood, spanning 3.5 acres in size. It was in 1972 when the District of Sparwood took over the maintenance and management of the cemetery from Salus Funeral Chapels (Ltd). Prior to Salus, the cemetery was maintained and operated by the Crows Nest Pass Coal Company. The cemetery, which closed on September 1st, 1983, no longer provides in-ground burials, except for those grave spaces reserved prior to its closure. Though grave spaces are no longer available for sale, other memorial options such as the Columbarium and Memorial Wall are still available at the Elk Valley (Michel) Cemetery.
Rivercrest Cemetery
The Rivercrest Cemetery, located at 7000 Highway 43, near the entrance to Sparwood Heights, opened in 1983 and spans 1.8 acres in size. The cemetery holds a total of 1102 grave spaces and 112 niches within the Columbarium. All memorial markers within the cemetery must be made from either stone or bronze.
Memorial Options
District staff provide support, guidance and expert advice throughout the decision making process. Staff are available to answer any questions you may have, as well as assist with:
- Sales of plots, niches, liners and markers;
- Interment and memorial options;
- Installation and removal of memorial tablets;
- Transfer of interment rights.
Plan ahead for your final resting place
To prepare in advance for the eventuality of death is not only proper forethought, but an outstanding act of consideration for every member of your family. Pre-arrangements lighten the emotional and financial burdens placed on loved ones in their time of need, while ensuring that your wishes are respected when you are gone.
District staff can help with your pre-arranged burial arrangements at the District Office located at 136 Spruce Avenue. We offer hassle-free, no obligation consultation, and provide full disclosure of property and service prices. The District provides several memorial options for you to choose from.
How to arrange a burial or interment
There are many ways to remember loved ones who are no longer part of our daily lives. Memories can be private or public, tangible or intangible, and often, are both. If you wish to purchase a final resting space in one of the two cemeteries within the District of Sparwood, you will need to contact the District Office to select the cemetery of your choice and location from the areas available.
Interments and plot maintenance
Care and maintenance for each site is included in the fees and charges of a cemetery space. This includes seeding and re-seeding of plots and lot surfaces, seasonal cutting of grass and weeds, and other maintenance to ensure a tidy and well-kept appearance.
How to sell, transfer, and refund an interment space
The District does not allow the private resale of interment spaces. However, you may transfer interment spaces or return unused spaces to us for a refund, less Care Fund contributions.
Fees & Charges
Explore the options for memorialization, including burial and cremation costs.
The following fees and charges apply for all interments in either the Elk Valley (Michel) Cemetery or Rivercrest Cemetery:
Note* Grave spaces for sale are only available at the Rivercrest Cemetery.
Note** Only the transfer of a License Fee for the Columbarium is permitted at the Elk Valley (Michel) Cemetery.
Donations in Honour & Memory
There are unlimited reasons why any one person, group or business might choose to imprint themselves into the texture of Sparwood’s natural environment – Perhaps to commemorate a great occasion or achievement? Or to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or loved one? Whatever the case, these gifts create lasting personal memories in a favourite green space while increasing the beauty, history and/or user-friendliness of our parks.
After all, there’s no place like nature to feel close to what matters most in life.
Cemetery Bylaw
View the full Cemetery Management Bylaw here.