Hatzic Cemetery Headstone Requirements: Sizes, Rules & Fees (Mission, BC)

Planning a memorial at Hatzic Cemetery in Mission? The single most important rule to know before you order anything: Hatzic Cemetery does not permit upright headstones. The City of Mission, which operates the cemetery, allows only flat memorial markers installed flush with the ground, made of granite, bronze, or marble. Ordering the wrong style or size means your marker will be rejected at delivery — so here is everything the City's regulations require, in plain language.

Quick Answer: Hatzic Cemetery Marker Rules at a Glance

• Style: Flat markers only, flush with the ground — no upright headstones, no raised or sloped styles
• Materials: Granite, bronze, or marble
• Thickness: Exactly 3 inches, with squared sides
• Sizes: 18" × 26" (single adult lot), 24" × 36" (companion), 14" × 18" (cremation or child lot)
• Border: A 3-inch unpolished border with no design or lettering is required on every marker
• City permit & installation fee (2026): $351.67–$422.03 including GST, paid to the City of Mission before installation

Who Operates Hatzic Cemetery?

Hatzic Cemetery is owned and operated by the City of Mission and is located at 34867 Cemetery Avenue, in the eastern part of Mission, BC. Memorial marker standards are set out in the City's Cemetery Bylaw 5664-2017 and its Conditions and Regulations of Memorial Markers, and the cemetery operates under BC's Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act.

Cemetery administration is handled through the office at the Mission Leisure Centre (7650 Grand Street). You can reach the cemetery clerk at 604-820-5354 or cemetery@mission.ca, Monday to Friday. Vehicle gates at the cemetery are open 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily; pedestrian gates are always open.

The Most Important Rule: Flat Markers Only

Every memorial at Hatzic Cemetery must sit flush with the ground. This is a lawn-level cemetery, which keeps maintenance simple and gives the grounds their uniform appearance — but it means that when families search for a "headstone" for Hatzic, what they actually need is a flat grave marker (also called a flush, lawn-level, or grass marker).

Styles that are not permitted at Hatzic include:

• Upright headstones and monuments of any height
• Slant markers
• Pillow markers — these raised, gently sloped markers are popular at many other Fraser Valley cemeteries, but Hatzic requires all memorials to be completely flush

If your family already owns plots at another cemetery that allows raised or upright styles, the rules there will be different — always confirm requirements for the specific cemetery before ordering.

Approved Materials

Hatzic Cemetery permits markers made of three materials only:

• Granite — the most common choice, available in a wide range of colours, with excellent durability in the Fraser Valley climate
• Bronze — permitted only when mounted on a granite or concrete base (details below)
• Marble — traditional and elegant, though softer than granite

Marker Size Requirements by Plot Type

Hatzic's size rules work on a "polished area plus border" system. The overall marker dimensions include a mandatory 3-inch perimeter border that must be left unpolished (or finished in cement) and completely free of lettering, design, or ornamentation. Your inscription and artwork go inside the polished area only.

Every marker must be exactly 3 inches thick — no more, no less — with side surfaces cut true and perpendicular to the top face.

Rules for Bronze Markers

Bronze is a beautiful, traditional option at Hatzic, but the City has specific mounting requirements. Bronze grave markers must be:

• Attached to a granite or concrete base no more than 3 inches thick, with squared, perpendicular sides
• Sitting flush with the base, or raised no more than 1 inch above it
• Designed so that no lettering, figures, or relief work rises more than half an inch (0.5") above the surface

The base-and-surround work must be completed before the marker is delivered to the cemetery — Hatzic will not accept a bronze plaque without its finished base already attached. A monument supplier familiar with Hatzic's specifications will handle this as part of production.

Finish and Ornamentation Rules

A few additional design restrictions apply to every marker at Hatzic:

• The 3-inch border must remain unpolished and free of any design
• Finished memorials may not include upright candle holders, vases, or lanterns
• Surface-mounted emblems may not protrude more than half an inch above the granite or base

These rules exist so mowers and maintenance equipment can pass safely over every marker — anything that sticks up risks damage to both the memorial and the equipment.

City Permit and Installation Fees (2026)

Before a marker can be installed, the City of Mission requires payment of a marker permit and installation fee. These fees are paid to the City and are separate from the cost of the marker itself. Current fees, effective January 1, 2026 (including GST):

Fees are set by bylaw and updated periodically — confirm the current schedule with the cemetery office at 604-820-5354 before finalizing your budget.

How the Ordering Process Works

1. Confirm your plot type. Call the cemetery clerk (604-820-5354) to verify whether your lot is a single adult, companion, or cremation/child plot — this determines your marker size.
2. Design your marker with your supplier. Your monument provider drafts the layout within the polished area, keeping the 3-inch border clean and any bronze elements within height limits.
3. Surround completed before delivery. Hatzic requires the 3-inch cement or granite surround (and bronze base, if applicable) to be finished before the marker arrives at the cemetery.
4. Pay the City's permit fee. Payment must be made to the City of Mission before installation proceeds.
5. Delivery and installation. Once approved, the marker is delivered and set flush with the ground.

What You Can Place at the Grave

Hatzic has seasonal rules for flowers and mementos. One durable container that will not shatter — and that fits entirely on the marker without extending past its edges — is permitted year-round. Live flowers may be placed directly on the marker from March 16 to October 31; cut or artificial flowers, wreaths, and floral tributes are allowed on the marker from November 1 to March 15 only. Seasonal decorations are removed by the caretaker after 30 days.

Items such as statues, toys, glass, ceramics, shells, balloons, wind catchers, trellises, and similar objects are not permitted on any lot. Note that the City is not responsible for damage to markers after installation — another reason durable granite and properly mounted bronze are worth the investment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install an upright headstone at Hatzic Cemetery?

No. Hatzic Cemetery only permits flat memorial markers installed flush with the ground. Upright headstones, slant markers, and raised pillow markers are not allowed.

What materials are allowed for markers at Hatzic Cemetery?

Only granite, bronze, and marble are permitted. Bronze markers must be mounted on a granite or concrete base no more than 3 inches thick.

What size marker do I need for my plot?

A single adult lot takes an 18" × 26" × 3" marker, companion plots take a 24" × 36" × 3" marker straddling both graves (or an 18" × 26" marker on each), and cremation or child lots take a 14" × 18" × 3" marker. All sizes include a mandatory 3-inch unpolished border.

How much does the City charge to install a marker at Hatzic Cemetery?

The City of Mission's 2026 marker permit and installation fees range from $351.67 for a cremation-size marker to $422.03 for a companion marker, including GST. This fee is paid to the City and is separate from the cost of the marker itself.

Do bronze markers need a base at Hatzic Cemetery?

Yes. Bronze markers must be attached to a granite or concrete base no more than 3 inches thick, sit flush or raised no more than 1 inch above the base, and have no lettering or relief rising more than half an inch above the surface.

Can I leave flowers or decorations at a grave in Hatzic Cemetery?

One durable, shatter-proof container that fits entirely on the marker is allowed. Live flowers may be placed on the marker March 16 to October 31, and cut or artificial flowers November 1 to March 15. Statues, toys, glass, balloons, and similar items are prohibited.

Order a Hatzic-Compliant Marker

Casket Depot designs and delivers cemetery-compliant flat grave markers and bronze grave markers for Hatzic Cemetery and cemeteries across the Fraser Valley, and you can browse our full range of headstones and markers to compare granite colours and styles. We verify Hatzic's size, border, and base specifications on every order, complete the required surround before delivery, and inscribe in any language — including Chinese and Vietnamese memorial layouts prepared by our in-house team.

Markers are delivered free anywhere from Chilliwack to North Vancouver, production runs 2–3 weeks express or 4–6 weeks standard, and if you find a lower written quote we'll beat it by 10%. Visit our Surrey showroom at 121–18860 24 Ave or call 604-833-9193 to start a design.