Royal Oak Burial Park, Victoria

Royal Oak Burial Park was established in the early 1920s by the councils of Victoria and Saanich to address the growing need for a new cemetery in Greater Victoria. Officially opened on November 28, 1923, with the first burial taking place two days later, the park sits on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen and WSÁNEĆ peoples, whose connection to the land continues to this day. The project began in 1918 when four municipalities—Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay, and Esquimalt—formed a committee to locate a suitable site, though the latter two later withdrew. The chosen location, noted for its elevation and natural beauty, offered views of the Juan de Fuca Strait and was carefully selected for both its landscape and functionality.

Engineer Frederick Butterfield played a key role in shaping the land into a burial park, preparing the first sections in 1923 and overseeing the construction of an on-site residence that initially served as the cemetery office. In its early years, Royal Oak became the final resting place for notable figures, including Premier “Honest” John Oliver in 1927, whose funeral procession drew widespread public and official attendance. Over time, three other premiers and numerous prominent individuals—including politicians, artists, and athletes—have been interred there. By the 1930s, during the Great Depression, the cemetery expanded its services with the construction of a crematorium and chapel, now recognized as an important example of Art Deco architecture on Vancouver Island.

As the burial park grew, new sections were added while maintaining the integrity of the original design. Some adaptations were made, including areas dedicated to cremated remains. In the decades that followed, additional features were introduced, such as the Columbarium Grove in the 1980s and a mausoleum in 1995. More recent developments reflect changing preferences, including the allowance of upright markers since 2000 and the introduction of the Woodlands in 2008 for green burials, where the natural environment is preserved and traditional markers are replaced with a shared memorial.

Today, Royal Oak Burial Park spans approximately 135 acres, nearly doubling its original size, with a portion intentionally left undeveloped to preserve its natural character. More than 72,000 individuals have been buried there, and over 93,000 cremations have taken place. Remaining true to its founding vision of combining parkland with a place of remembrance, the burial park continues to serve as a significant landmark in Greater Victoria, honouring both history and community.