Prince George is seeing an increased trend in cremation.
As a result, construction is set to begin this week on the mausoleum expansion project at Memorial Park Cemetery, situated on 50 hectares of land at the intersection of Highway 16 and Ferry Avenue.
Last year, city council approved the addition of the approximately 1,200 sq-ft building onto the existing facility, which includes 860 new glass and marble front niches.
The popularity of cremation has grown in Prince George in recent years and the facility's current 500 niches are all occupied.
The expansion's additional features include an attached building with a shared entranceway and raised timber-frame ceiling.
Its design also includes large windows for abundant natural lighting and a security system.
New burial options will include an outdoor columbaria and an environmentally conscious green burial section with a scattering garden and ossuary.
Construction of this new facility will require periodic disruption of access to the mausoleum. The city says it will provide users with notice prior to these disruptions.
The project is expected to be completed by early next year.
