People can soon scatter their loved one's ashes at upcoming park
A park is rising on the bank of the Etobicoke Creek in Mississauga that will be the newest site in the Greater Toronto Area designated for scattering a loved ones ashes.
Kiratpur Park – named after a sacred site in India is being built near the Ontario Khalsa Darbar Sikh temple allowing many Hindus and Sikhs the opportunity to fulfill the obligation to scatter remains in flowing water.
“In absences of designated places, people were hiding along the rivers and creeks and doing it in a rush rush kind of thing,” said Amanpreet Singh Bal, a volunteer with the temple and has been involved with the project.
“How can you tell someone born in Canada that at the end of life your ashes are going to go to some far away land.”
The temple reached an agreement with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority to have the designated site.
(Ace property Care Inc./Facebook)
It won’t be finished until end of August, but already more than 200 services have been held here.
Along with direct access to the running water of the Etoibcoke Creek, the park will also include a fountain, a gazebo, recycling bins for cardboard boxes used to transport remains, and areas for mourners to grieve.
“For a long time South Asian communities have not had a culturally sensitive, safe way to complete their rights of passage,” said Jaspreet Bal, Spokesperson with the Ontario Khalsa Darbar Temple. “ Having a space like this allows for betterment of health – allows for community support.”
For Sikhs, dispersing a loved one’s ashes into flowing water is among four major rites of passage. The alternative to a designated site, is travelling to India which Bal says often challenging and financial burden for many families.
“Some families would hold on to their loved ones ashes and wait months before they could afford a ticket to India.”
The pandemic has also heightening the need for a local designated site due to travel restrictions.
At the same time, cremation rates are on the rise in Canada. More than 70 per cent of deaths in Canada were followed by cremation last year, according to the Cremation Association of North America.
Disposing of ashes allowed on Crown land, but it is generally not permitted on municipal lands in Ontario.
The City of Toronto is currently exploring the possibility of a designated location.
“From government, it would be great to see this support continue…this is the gold standard to produce culturally sensitive services,” Bal said.
Officials say the park is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.