Many people today are searching for burial options that reflect their care for the environment, yet they’re often faced with choices that don’t align with those values.
At Woodlawn Memorial Park, we understand the importance of offering meaningful choices that respect both personal values and the planet. That’s why we’re introducing our new green burial area—an option that allows families to honour loved ones in a natural, environmentally responsible way while preserving the beauty of our surroundings.
In this blog, we’ll explore what green burial is, how it works, and why it might be the right choice for you or your loved ones.
What is a Green Burial?
Green burial is a return to traditional burial practices that prioritize simplicity, sustainability, and harmony with nature. Unlike conventional burials, which often involve embalming chemicals, non-biodegradable caskets, and concrete vaults, green burials focus on:
- Natural Decomposition: Allowing the body to return to the earth naturally.
- Biodegradable Materials: Using caskets, shrouds, or urns made from sustainable materials.
- Minimized Environmental Impact: Avoiding practices and materials that disrupt the ecosystem.
Green burials not only reduce the ecological footprint but also create opportunities to connect with nature, fostering a sense of peace and continuity.
The 5 Principles of Green Burial
Our commitment to green burial at Woodlawn Memorial Park will align with the following five core principles as outlined in Green Burial Society of Canada The Five Principles – Green Burial Society of Canada:
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No Embalming
- Embalming is not used in natural or green burials.
- The body returns to the earth through natural decomposition, without artificial interference.
- Dignified preparation for burial and viewing is still entirely possible without embalming.
- Refrigeration, along with environmentally friendly soaps, lotions, and disinfectants, is used to care for the body.
2. Direct Earth Burial
- The body, without embalming, is wrapped in a biodegradable shroud made from natural materials and laid directly into the earth.
- As an option, the shrouded body can be placed in a casket or another type of container, as long as it’s crafted from eco-friendly, fully compostable materials.
- Ideally, shrouds and containers are sourced locally, close to where the person passed and where the green burial takes place.
- Green burials do not use grave liners or burial vaults; instead, the body in its shroud or container is placed directly into the soil.
3. Ecological Restoration & Conservation
- After a green burial, the grave is given time to settle before being planted with native grasses, flowers, and trees to blend naturally with the surrounding area.
- Green burial focuses on protecting the land. The burial site remains undisturbed and the natural environment is preserved long-term.
4. Simple Memorialization
- Memorials in green burial sites are kept simple and suited to the natural setting.
- Shared memorials with basic inscriptions on natural materials are encouraged.
- Small, handcrafted individual markers can also be used if they’re made from natural, ideally local, materials.
- In the end, the burial ground becomes a lasting, living tribute to those laid to rest there.
5. Optimized Land Use
- A thoughtfully designed green burial cemetery makes the most of the land it uses.
- Features may include minimal infrastructure, like temporary roads that can later be turned into burial plots, and efficient grave layouts to increase capacity.
- Reusing graves is a sustainable practice that helps conserve space, though it’s only available at select cemeteries in Canada.
- If full-body burial isn’t an option, some green burial areas may also allow for the burial of cremated remains.
Why Choose Green Burial at Woodlawn Memorial Park?
Choosing a green burial at Woodlawn Memorial Park means:
- Honouring Nature: Supporting practices that protect and enhance the environment.
- Creating a Legacy: Contributing to the preservation of green spaces for future generations.
- Celebrating Simplicity: Embracing a timeless, meaningful way of laying loved ones to rest.
Our dedicated team is here to guide you through every step of the process, ensuring that your wishes are respected and that your loved one’s memory is honoured in a way that reflects your values.
We invite you to visit Woodlawn Memorial Park or contact our team to learn more about our green burial options. Stroll through our serene grounds, explore, and see where the development of our natural green burial area will be.
Together, let’s celebrate life, honour memories, and protect the planet for generations to come.
