LAST WALK ACROSS THE SQUARE
By Dan Lemieux – Guard Coordinator

Thanks to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the dedication of the Regina Division RCMP Veterans and the Chaplains at “Depot,” a ceremony known as the “Last Walk Across the Square” begins in the Chapel at “Depot” Division. Following a brief commitment service, a small party of veterans in red or blue blazers, carry an urn containing the cremains (ashes) of deceased retired members, across the Square to the National Cemetery. The cremains are placed in a columbarium or grave. The RCMP will provide suitable markers at no cost to the family. Family members walk behind the veterans carrying the urn. It is not obligatory that relatives attend. The following procedures are required.

HOW TO GET CREMAINS TO REGINA

The first step is for a family member to contact the Benefits Administration Centre in the Division in which the member was serving at the time of retirement. In “E” Division, contact Lucille Simard in the Human Resources Section at 604-264-2772. Indicate that you would like to arrange to send or take cremains of a deceased member to Regina to be placed in a columbarium or grave in the National Cemetery. The columbariums will hold two urns, so the cremains of the spouse can also be added, when their time comes. Both urns must be able to fit in a space that is 11.5” x 11.5”. It will be necessary to provide the full name, Regimental Number and Rank at the time of retirement. Space will be left on the plaque for the name of the spouse.

Chapel Service and interment arrangements have to be made through the “Depot” Chaplaincy Office. Contact:

• Chaplain Fred Salerno (fred.salerno_[AT]_rcmp-grc.gc.ca or Phone 306-539-2539 )


• Chaplain Tom McCullagh (tom.mccullagh_[AT]_rcmp-grc.gc.ca or Phone 306-780-8768 / Cell 306-737-0535 / Fax 306-780-7957)

Former "Depot" Chaplain Harvey Zink placing an urn in a columbarium in the National Cemetery

It will be necessary to provide a Death Certificate, cremation documents, obituary notice, and a brief biography of the member’s service. The biography is used during the commitment service in the Chapel. It should include when and where the member joined the Force, where he/she trained, where they were stationed, etc. A Funeral Request Form is required and will be supplied by the Chaplains. If communication is by mail, the address is Chaplain’s Office, RCMP Training Centre, Box 6500, Regina, SK., S4P 3J7. The cremains can be shipped by mail to that address, if the family is unable to attend.

The maximum cost of this service is approximately $200 to cover civilian labour costs. If family members are going to Regina, a reception can be held in the Officer’s Mess after the commitment service. Contact Marj Ostrum at 306-543-7319 or Lorna Loftus at 306-586-1324.

For local assistance, contact Ron Budd at 604-535-5960 ( rmbudd_[AT]_shaw.ca ) or Dan Lemieux at 604-988-7421 or ( deebeel_[AT]_telus.net )

Click here for information on urns suitable for interment of cremains.