Leamington clarifies status of cemetery plots amid online claims

The Municipality of Leamington is pushing back against what it says is misinformation circulating on social media about the sale of cemetery plots at Lakeview Cemetery.

In a statement, the municipality said it is not selling unused family plots, nor has it proposed doing so.

Officials say the confusion stems from a comprehensive review of Lakeview Cemetery carried out in 1995 by the former Town of Leamington, in accordance with provincial legislation governing cemeteries at the time.

That review, conducted under what was then the Cemeteries Act — now governed by the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act — was intended to identify cemetery plots sold prior to 1953 that remained unused as of 1995.

Following the statutory process, and with approval from the provincial registrar on Aug. 21, 1995, several plots were formally declared abandoned under the legislation.

The municipality says those specific plots were legally reclaimed and that it was authorized to resell only those abandoned plots.

“At no point has the municipality sold, or proposed selling, unused family plots,” the statement said.

The municipality says a formal redress process is available for anyone who believes they have a legal interest in a plot that has been declared abandoned. Residents are being directed to contact the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, which oversees cemetery operations in the province, for guidance.

Leamington officials are encouraging residents to seek information directly from the municipality if they have questions or concerns, rather than relying on social media posts.