South Surrey organizations oppose proposed cemetery expansion [Video]

Some South Surrey organizations are in opposition to a proposed plan from the City of Surrey to expand a local cemetery.

Bordering Sunnyside Lawn Cemetery is a 100-year-old forest. If the city’s plan goes ahead, Bram Klijsen, president of the Sunnyside Acres Heritage Society, said 30 acres of the second-growth forest could be at risk.

“People are not opposed to cemeteries, but they are opposed to losing something as precious as this,” he said.

25-year plan

The City of Surrey said it is in the early stages of developing a 25-year master plan for the cemetery.

According to the city’s Parks, Recreation & Culture department, there is limited room left for interment at the city’s municipal cemeteries.

“Of the city’s three cemeteries, Sunnyside is the only one with potential to increase capacity,” it said in a statement.

In 2023, the city expanded the cemetery, clearing just over half an acre of the …