All Souls at Mountain View Cemetery

Now in its 18th year, All Souls at Mountain View Cemetery illuminates the darkness October 26th to November 1st. Community members of all ages are invited to remember their ancestors and loved ones who have recently passed through message writing, candle lighting and the placement of personal memorials on shrines.

All Souls at Mountain View Cemetery 2022

All are welcomed, even if their loved ones are not interred at Mountain View Cemetery.

The shrines will be kept lit throughout the memorial period from October 26th to November 1st, during which the cemetery’s contemplative atmosphere will be enhanced with live music in the evenings and weekend afternoons.

With the return of familiar shrines, a special tribute will be made for the plum tree that has held the memorial cradles in the infant burial area.

Attendees are also encouraged to share their own stories and family customs. Returning this year to the Chinese Pavilion, Walter Quan will demonstrate how his family honours ancestors with the burning of incense papers, and Zeelia will share Ukrainian folk songs in a special afternoon offering on October 29th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.

Featured Events

Memorial Box Lanterns Kits October 20th to November 1st, 2022
Kits will be available beginning October 20th and can be found outside the Cemetery Office to take home and personalize. Memorials can be placed on the shrines at Mountain View Cemetery beginning October 26th.

Public Shrines October 26th to November 1st
The public are invited to light candles, write messages, and leave personal memorials to remember their dead in an atmosphere of contemplative beauty.

Online Mourners Tea October 30th from 12:00pm to 1:30pm
A community conversation about death and grieving through personal experience. Register online by emailing  [email protected].

Throughout the memorial period, additional musical features and spontaneous events will be announced on Facebook and Instagram.

About All Souls at Mountain View Cemetery

Mountain View Cemetery, located at Fraser Street and East 39th Avenue, opened in 1886 and is the only cemetery within Vancouver. Owned and operated by the City of Vancouver, the cemetery is an important civic space and provides interment options and event space.

The cemetery is an embodiment of Vancouver’s history, serving as the final resting place of almost 150,000 people, including several past mayors; veterans from World Wars; notable citizens such as Vancouver’s first lifeguard Joe Fortes and businessman and activist Yip Sang; and people of varied faiths, ethnicities, ages and contributions to Vancouver’s past, present and future.

All Souls emerged out of a collaboration between artists Paula Jardine and Marina Szijarto, who came together in 2005 to find artistic ways to honour the dead and provide opportunities for people to share their traditions in a gentle and tranquil atmosphere.

Throughout the years, the event has been touched, changed and inspired by the many artists, community participants and members of the public who have shared their love and regard for their dead.