Last reviewed July 2026 Β· Applies to all three City of Surrey cemeteries under Surrey Cemetery Management Bylaw No. 16174
If you're planning a headstone for a loved one at a City of Surrey cemetery, the single most important thing to get right before ordering is size. The City reviews every memorial permit application against the dimension schedules in its cemetery bylaw, and a marker that falls outside those ranges β even by an inch β will not be approved for installation. This guide lays out every permitted dimension for flat markers and upright monuments, the 2026 permit fees, and how the installation process works, so you know exactly what your options are before you choose a design.
Quick answer: At Sunnyside Lawn, Surrey Centre, and Hazelmere cemeteries, flat markers must be between 3" and 5" thick, with face dimensions ranging from a minimum of 12" Γ 10" (single cremation lot) up to a maximum of 36" Γ 24" (double burial lot). Upright monuments are permitted only on designated premium lots at Sunnyside Lawn and Surrey Centre: the granite tablet may be 16"β30" wide (single lot) or 20"β48" wide (double lot), up to 40" tall, mounted on a granite base that extends at least 3" beyond the tablet on all four sides.
One bylaw, three cemeteries
The City of Surrey owns and operates three cemeteries, and all of them follow the same memorial rules set out in Surrey Cemetery Management Bylaw No. 16174:
Sunnyside Lawn Cemetery (14850 β 28 Avenue, South Surrey) is the City's largest cemetery, a 28-acre site in operation since 1954. It was established as a lawn cemetery β meaning flat memorials only β but since January 2018, certain designated premium lots have permitted upright monuments. The City's Cemetery Services office is located here.
Surrey Centre Cemetery (16671 Old McLellan Road, Cloverdale) is a 14-acre heritage cemetery established by the Methodist Church in the 1880s and operated by the City since 1924. Both flat markers and, on designated premium lots, upright monuments are permitted here.
Hazelmere Cemetery (19198 β 16 Avenue, South Surrey) is a small 1.5-acre rural heritage site dating to 1908. The City's memorial permit forms list Hazelmere for flat markers only.
Because one bylaw governs all three sites, the size tables below apply across the board. What varies is your lot type β cremation or full burial, single or double, standard or premium β so confirm your lot designation before choosing a marker size. It's printed on your Right of Interment certificate, or we can confirm it with the cemetery office for you.
Flat marker sizes at City of Surrey cemeteries
Schedule "A" of Bylaw 16174 sets the finished dimensions for flat memorials by lot type. Note that "height" here means the front-to-back dimension of the marker as it lies flat in the lawn β so a "24" wide Γ 14" high" marker occupies a footprint 24 inches across and 14 inches deep.
| Dimension | Cremation β Single & Infant Lot | Cremation β Double (side-by-side) | Burial β Single & Child Lot | Burial β Double (side-by-side) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width (min) | 12" (30.5 cm) | 18" (45.7 cm) | 20" (50.8 cm) | 28" (71.1 cm) |
| Width (max) | 18" (45.7 cm) | 24" (61.0 cm) | 26" (66.0 cm) | 36" (91.4 cm) |
| Height (min) | 10" (25.4 cm) | 10" (25.4 cm) | 12" (30.5 cm) | 16" (40.6 cm) |
| Height (max) | 14" (35.6 cm) | 14" (35.6 cm) | 18" (45.7 cm) | 24" (61.0 cm) |
| Thickness (min) | 3" (7.6 cm) | 3" (7.6 cm) | 3" (7.6 cm) | 3" (7.6 cm) |
| Thickness (max) | 5" (12.7 cm) | 5" (12.7 cm) | 5" (12.7 cm) | 5" (12.7 cm) |
In practice, this means popular sizes like a 16" Γ 12" single cremation marker, a 24" Γ 14" single burial marker, or a 36" Γ 24" companion marker for a double lot all fit comfortably within the bylaw β but always confirm your lot type first, because a marker sized for a burial lot will be rejected on a cremation lot.
Granite or bronze: the two permitted formats
The bylaw allows exactly two flat marker formats. The first is an all-granite marker with the inscription carved directly into the face, 3" to 5" thick. The second is a bronze plaque mounted on a granite base: the granite must be wider and longer than the bronze so that at least 2" of granite border shows on every side, the base must be smooth sawn or polished on all faces, and the bronze lettering or design may not be raised more than 0.5" above the surface.
Either way, the finished memorial cannot include upright candleholders, vases, lanterns, or surface-mounted emblems that protrude more than 0.5" above the granite. If a flower vase matters to your family, choose a design with an integrated flush vase, or use the City-supplied flower containers permitted under the bylaw.
Upright monument sizes: premium lots only
Upright monuments are the exception, not the rule, at City of Surrey cemeteries. The City issues upright memorial permits only for designated premium lots at Sunnyside Lawn and Surrey Centre β standard lots are flat-marker-only. If you're unsure whether your lot qualifies, check your purchase documents or call the cemetery office before commissioning a monument.
Schedule "B" of the bylaw sets separate dimension ranges for the tablet (the upright stone itself) and its base:
| Dimension | Single Lot β Tablet | Single Lot β Base | Double Lot β Tablet | Double Lot β Base |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width (min) | 16" (40.6 cm) | Tablet + 3" on all four sides | 20" (50.8 cm) | Tablet + 3" on all four sides |
| Width (max) | 30" (76.2 cm) | Tablet + 3" on all four sides | 48" (121.9 cm) | Tablet + 3" on all four sides |
| Height (min) | 16" (40.6 cm) | 6" (15.2 cm) | 16" (40.6 cm) | 6" (15.2 cm) |
| Height (max) | 40" (101.6 cm) | 8" (20.3 cm) | 40" (101.6 cm) | 8" (20.3 cm) |
| Thickness (min) | 4" (10.2 cm) | 10" (25.4 cm) | 6" (15.2 cm) | 12" (30.5 cm) |
| Thickness (max) | 8" (20.3 cm) | 14" (35.6 cm) | 8" (20.3 cm) | 14" (35.6 cm) |
A few construction rules come with those numbers. The base must be wider and longer than the tablet to provide a minimum 3" border, finished with a rock-pitched edge, and its underside must be smooth sawn and unpolished. The tablet attaches to the base with ΒΎ" stainless steel dowels and a City-approved epoxy β no exceptions. Granite vase holders with plastic vases are permitted in front of the monument as long as they sit flush with the ground, and only one memorial may be installed per lot, in the space the cemetery designates.
To put the ranges in perspective: a classic single monument of 24" wide Γ 30" tall on a 30" Γ 14" base fits well within Schedule "B," and a full-width double (companion) monument can run up to 48" wide and 40" tall β a substantial memorial by any standard. You can see granite options and starting prices on our upright monuments page.
Permit fees and the approval process (2026)
Every memorial at a City of Surrey cemetery requires a memorial permit, submitted with payment before the marker is delivered or installed. As a monument supplier, we prepare and submit this paperwork on your behalf. Current fees, per the City's 2026 permit forms:
| Permit type | Permit fee | Maintenance fund | Total with GST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat marker β new (any size) | $252.00 | $78.00 | $346.50 |
| Flat marker β remove & replace for 2nd inscription | $252.00 | β | $264.60 |
| Upright monument β new (single or double lot) | $485.00 | $145.00 | $661.50 |
The maintenance fund portion is required under BC's Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act, which directs a share of every memorial permit fee into the cemetery's Maintenance Care Fund. Fees are set under Surrey's Fee Setting Bylaw 14577 and are adjusted periodically, so treat these figures as current at the time of writing and expect annual changes.
Who installs the marker β and how long it takes
Installation works differently for the two marker types, and this catches many families by surprise.
Flat markers are installed by the City. Once your marker is produced, it's delivered to the cemetery, and only the City's caretaker (or a person the City authorizes) places it β typically within 10 business days of receiving it. Your monument company handles design, production, permit, and delivery; the City handles the setting.
Upright monuments are installed by the monument company. The installer must hold a current City of Surrey business licence, carry $5,000,000 in liability insurance naming City of Surrey Cemeteries on the certificate, and provide a WorkSafeBC clearance letter before any work. Installation dates are scheduled directly with the Cemetery Services office with a minimum of 10 business days' notice. Casket Depot maintains all of these credentials, so upright installations at Sunnyside Lawn and Surrey Centre are handled start to finish without you needing to coordinate anything.
Ordering a compliant headstone: how we handle it
We design, produce, and install memorials at City of Surrey cemeteries regularly, so the bylaw requirements above are built into our process from the first conversation. Before any design work begins, we confirm your exact lot type and designation with the cemetery, which determines your size envelope. You'll approve a scaled design proof β inscriptions available in English, Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, Farsi, Punjabi, Korean, and other languages β and we handle the permit application, production, delivery, and (for uprights) installation. Production typically runs 2β3 weeks on our express timeline.
Browse our flat grave markers, upright monuments, or the full headstone collection β or visit the showroom at 121-18860 24 Ave, Surrey, about five minutes from Sunnyside Lawn Cemetery, to see full-size granite samples in person. Call 604-833-9193 for a quote or to confirm what your lot allows.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum headstone size at Sunnyside Lawn Cemetery?
For flat markers: 18" Γ 14" on a single cremation lot, 26" Γ 18" on a single burial lot, and 36" Γ 24" on a double burial lot, all 3"β5" thick. On designated premium lots, an upright monument tablet can reach 30" wide (single lot) or 48" wide (double lot) and 40" tall, on a base extending at least 3" beyond the tablet on all sides.
Can I install an upright headstone at a City of Surrey cemetery?
Only on lots the City has designated as premium upright lots at Sunnyside Lawn or Surrey Centre. Sunnyside Lawn began allowing uprights on designated lots in January 2018; all other lots are flat-marker-only. Your Right of Interment documents state your lot's designation, or we can confirm it with the cemetery office.
How much does a memorial permit cost at Surrey cemeteries?
As of 2026: $346.50 including GST for a new flat marker, $264.60 for removing and replacing a flat marker to add a second inscription, and $661.50 for a new upright monument. Fees are set by City bylaw and change periodically.
Who installs the headstone?
The City's caretaker installs all flat markers after delivery. Upright monuments are installed by the monument company, which must hold a Surrey business licence, $5M liability insurance, and WorkSafeBC clearance β credentials Casket Depot maintains.
Can the inscription be in Chinese, Punjabi, Farsi, or another language?
Yes. The bylaw regulates size, material, and construction β not language. We produce inscriptions in Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, Farsi, Punjabi, Korean, English, and more, with a scaled proof for your approval before engraving.
What size flat marker do I need for a double (companion) lot?
For side-by-side burial lots, the marker must be 28"β36" wide and 16"β24" front to back. For side-by-side cremation lots, 18"β24" wide and 10"β14" front to back. Thickness is 3"β5" in both cases.
Sources and official references: Surrey Cemetery Management Bylaw No. 16174 (PDF) Β· City of Surrey β Cemetery Bylaws Β· City of Surrey β Cemeteries in Surrey Β· City of Surrey Memorial Permit forms (2026). Dimensions and fees summarized here reflect the bylaw and permit schedules as of July 2026; the City amends its bylaws from time to time, so confirm current requirements with Cemetery Services at 604-598-5770 before finalizing an order. This article is provided by Casket Depot Vancouver, an independent monument supplier, and is not affiliated with the City of Surrey.