New Ash-Scattering Site
Delta establishes first ash-scattering site along Fraser River for diverse cultural traditions
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Tilbury Island already features a reflective garden and seating area, and the planned upgrade will add a formal ash-scattering park space along the Fraser River to support ceremonies in a cohesive campus setting.
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Provincial permits were required to build the site, underscoring regulatory oversight for this first-of-its-kind ash-scattering location.
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The site is designed to accommodate South Asian cultural and faith practices that involve scattering ashes in running water, highlighting its targeted cultural relevance in addition to general inclusivity.
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Delta council approved about $225,000 to immediately start work on providing safe access to the water’s edge at the site, signaling municipal commitment to the project.
British Columbia has approved the province's first dedicated ash-scattering site, set along the Fraser River at Fraser Viewpoint on Tilbury Island in Delta. The site will give families a safe, formal place to scatter cremated remains into running water — a practice central to many South Asian cultural and spiritual traditions. CTV News reported the announcement as a "much-needed culturally respectful space" for the community.
Delta city council has committed about $225,000 to start work immediately. The money will pay for safe access to the water's edge, making the site accessible for families of all abilities. Castanet reported the project is a first of its kind in the province.
Tilbury Island Site Gets a Major Upgrade
Tilbury Island already has a reflective garden and seating area. The new work will add a formal ash-scattering park space right along the Fraser River. Together, the existing garden and new area will form a single, cohesive campus for ceremonies. Provincial permits were required before any construction could begin, showing the level of regulatory oversight involved in creating this kind of site.
Castanet noted that ash scattering in running water is not illegal in B.C. Even so, no dedicated public site had ever existed before this project. The upgrade gives families a dignified, purpose-built location rather than an informal or hard-to-reach riverbank.
South Asian Communities Drove the Push for This Site
The site is designed with South Asian cultural and faith practices in mind. Many Hindu and Sikh traditions call for scattering ashes in a sacred running body of water. For years, families in Delta had to travel far — sometimes to rivers in other regions — to carry out these rites. The project brings that tradition home.
Head Topics highlighted Kinza Nisar as one person who had applied for the site, showing that community members themselves helped push this forward. Delta Mayor George Harvie stressed the importance of keeping traditional rites accessible locally. North Delta MLA Ravi Kahlon called the site a sign of true inclusivity.
Province Signals It Will Help Other Cities Follow Suit
Attorney General Niki Sharma said the site reflects a commitment to respecting the community's diverse cultural and faith practices. She called it a respectful, public venue that belongs to everyone. Sharma also said the province is open to helping other municipalities create similar spaces across B.C.
Castanet Kamloops noted that Delta had spent years advocating for a dedicated location before getting provincial approval. That long push shows how much demand exists for this kind of space. With the model now in place, other cities with large South Asian populations could be next.
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