It is owned and operated by the City of Vancouver and occupies 0.43 square kilometres (110 acres) of land, containing more than 100,000 grave sites and over 150,000 interred remains.

The first interment was supposed to happen in January 1887 but poor weather, a new road, and a broken wagon wheel resulted in the intended first occupant being temporarily buried outside the cemetery.

Burial sites historically were often grouped together along the lines of religion (e.g., Jewish), nationality (e.g., Chinese and Japanese), or organizational affiliation (e.g., Freemasons and Oddfellows).

The New Chelsea Housing Society and the Department of Veterans' Affairs, unveiled a memorial consisting of three granite stelai in 1983 dedicated to all Canadian military members who have died.

[4] As of January 1, 2020, City Council expanded this practice via a by-law allowing individuals to share their own or their deceased loved one's grave with up to 3 non-family members or strangers.

Those opting for this arrangement would be buried on top of one another in a single 4'x8'x9' vertical column[4] and must consent to be interred in a more environmentally-sustainable option, such as 'a shroud or biodegradable container'.