The Galiano Cemetery is on land donated by Henry (Scotty) and Sophy Georgeson. It had been
used as a burial ground for settlers since 1863 and was granted to the Anglican Synod of the
Diocese of British Columbia in 1928. In 2016 funds were raised by the community to purchase
an adjacent piece of land. It is known as the Ralph and Clara Stevens Memorial Addition.
The Cemetery was used for full body burials until 2019, when it became known that the operations
of the Cemetery were not in compliance with current legislation. Cemeteries in BC are
governed by the Interment, Cremation and Cemeteries Act of BC under license by Consumer
Protection BC. The Galiano cemetery is on an archeological site as confirmed by an Archeologist
at the Department of Anthropology, Washington State University, and therefore required to
comply with the BC Heritage Conservation Act and the BC Archeology Branch. The Anglican
Synod of the Diocese of British Columbia holds the legal title to the cemetery properties.
The Diocese has delegated responsibility to St Margaret of Scotland Anglican Church for cemetery
administration. A cemetery committee operates under the authority of the Church’s Parish
Council. The committee consists of Parish Council Members, Community Representatives and
First Nations representatives.
The cemetery land is a site with history going back thousands of years, as Indigenous peoples
lived, celebrated, and committed their dead on the site. It holds sacred significance for
Indigenous peoples all around the Salish Sea. Items over the years have been discovered at the
cemetery site. Wherever possible the cemetery committee consults with the First Nations
community regarding the property. The property is also a sensitive ecosystem and as stewards
of the land we are responsible for maintaining its integrity.
In June of this year the cemetery finally met the legislative and permitting requirements to
resume interments. Archeological BC did not take any action on the cemetery for previous non-
compliance interments, but they are now monitoring our future actions. This means that the
existing ground cannot be disturbed for in-ground burials or in-ground interment of ashes
without an extensive, time consuming, and extremely costly archeological permitting process
for each/any interment which is completely unrealistic when dealing with a recent death with
the need for a quick interment. As a result, and after careful, thoughtful consideration from The
Synod of the Anglican Diocese of BC, in consultation with many parties, the decision was made
that the cemetery now only allows above ground placement or scattering of ashes in
designated areas. The committee is working hard to be creative, within the laws, to be able to
honour the existing look and feel of the property regarding the placement of ashes and
memorial stones.
To inter ashes in the cemetery, an application must first be completed. The Sexton will then
assist with the selection and preparation of the site. Requests to place memorial stones at
scattering locations will be reviewed by the cemetery committee. Memorial markers are
allowed within the guidelines of the cemetery bylaws.The committee members represent the whole
of the Galiano Island community, who with the church, care deeply about the families who
currently live amongst us, and those who have passed on to be ancestors. We understand and
acknowledge the anxiety and frustration that some residents feel with the new reality, but it is that,
reality, in the times which we now live.
We will continue to respect the people who currently live on this beautiful island, those who
have passed before us, and the governmental regulations that we are required to follow, as we
administrate this beautiful and historic cemetery.
Please contact St. Margaret of Scotland Parish's Cemetery Committee Chairperson at
cemetery@stmargaretsgaliano.com if you have any specific questions regarding our precious
cemetery.
Venerable Dr. Lon Towstego,
Incumbent of The Parish of Central Saanich in the Diocese of Islands and Inlets, BC.
Archdeacon of the region of Western, Peninsula & Gulf Islands.