Where is Green Burial Available in Canada? UPDATED 2020

What is Green Burial?

Green or natural burial is the process of human disposition with the least environmental consequences, while encouraging greater land stewardship. Bodies are not prepared using chemical embalming fluids, are placed in simple shrouds or biodegradable caskets, and concrete vaults are not used, nor are traditional markers (headstones & footstones). In Canada, green burial cemeteries come in three forms: full or conservation, hybrid and green-friendly (our term).

Full or Conservation Green Cemeteries are cemeteries that only practice green burial, or despite the debate surrounding the environmental impact of cremation, the interment of eco-friendly urns.

Hybrid Cemeteries are 'traditional' cemeteries that offer green burial in designated spaces. These spaces are set apart from the rest of the cemetery, and follow the guidelines for green or natural burial.

Green-Friendly Cemeteries are cemeteries that do not offer a dedicated green burial section, but are making efforts to offer environmentally friendly options. This could include the lack of cement vault or embalming fluids, and the choice of simple pine casket, or burial shroud. We will be updating our list as we find more green-friendly cemeteries in Canada.

Green burial often has an additional ecological aspect where the grounds/graves are planted with only native, beneficial species that are not chemically or mechanically managed, and where optimum land and water use guidelines are in place. There are at least two green burial organizations in Canada: the Green Burial Society of Canada, and the Natural Burial Association. The Green Burial Council, operates in both Canada and the United States, and offers environmental certificates for funeral homes, cemeteries and product manufacturers.

Embalming laws in Canada

"Is embalming required by law in Canada?" No. None of the provinces and territories require embalming. Some provinces do have rules pertaining to the length of time a body can be unembalmed for a viewing, before embalming would be necessary, but that is it (we're looking at you Quebec). Nothing would prevent someone from having a funeral at home with an unembalmed body.

Where Can I Have a Green Burial in Canada?

Whereas green burial is being quickly adopted throughout the United States, Canada currently lags behind. Only 2 Canadian provinces have full green burial sites, and most provinces and territories have none whatsoever. We called the following municipalities and cemeteries to confirm their green offerings.

"I want a green burial but there are no sites in my province, what can I do?"

If your province is lacking a green burial site, we've included the contact information for municipal or provincial cemetery management offices. Since green burial is legal in all provinces and territories, it takes consumer demand to see any change. A call to a government cemetery management office, or your local cemetery, can make all the difference. Encourage your friends and family to do the same, or propose a green burial site during local municipality meetings.

Many funeral homes in Canada can help facilitate green burial services, including My Alternatives in the West coast, and Eco Cremation & Burial Services in Ontario. Some funeral homes in Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan also offer Bio-Cremation. Lastly, many cemeteries in these provinces will allow you to have a green-friendly burial. Unlike our Southern neighbours, many cemeteries in Canada do not require a vault or grave liner, will accept a green burial casket, and do not require a headstone or footstone. Ask your local cemetery or funeral home to find the greenest solution near you.

Meadows of Rosehill Cemetery
Has room for about 900 green graves in a one-acre area of land located at the back end of the cemetery.

1605-141 Street SW, 
Edmonton, Alberta, T6W 1A3
(780) 434-5433
Website

The Denman Island Natural Burial Cemetery
Cemetery exclusive to past or present
residents of Denman Island.

Denman Island B.C.
6400 Denman Rd,
Denman Island, BC V0R 1T0
Website

Heritage Gardens Cemetery
Natural/Green privately owned and run by the Crean family.

Address: 19082 16th Avenue,
South Surrey, BC
(604) 538-0074
Website

There are no full green burial cemetery grounds in Manitoba. Want to see full green burial in Manitoba? Get in touch with your local municipality or your local cemetery:

City of Winnipeg
Call: (204)-986-4348
Email: cemeteries@winnipeg.ca
Website

City of Brandon:
Call: (204)-729-2150
Website

St. Vital Cemetery
236 River Rd,
Winnipeg, MB R2M 5G6
(204)-986-4348
Website

Want to see full green burial in Nova Scotia? Get in touch with your local municipality or your local cemetery:

Halifax
Call: (902)-490-4883
Email: cemetery@halifax.ca
Website

Contact the Ecology Action Center via
meredith.baldwin@ecologyaction.ca

The Burlington Kings County Cemetery Society
Barley Street, 
Burlington,
Nova Scotia
(902)-538-3387
(No website found)

Want to see full green burial in Ontario? Get in touch with your local municipality or your local cemetery:

The Peoples Cemetery Charlottetown
Call: (902)-892-8580
Email: thepeoplescemetery@gmail.com
Website

Consumer Services, Dep. of Environment, Labour & Justice:
Call: (800)-658-1799
Website

Sentiers Commémoratifs de la Rivière
Urns only natural cemetery
2480 Bd du Curé-Labelle,
Prévost, QC J0R 1T0
(450)-565-6464
Website

Cimetière Catholique Granby
Offers an urn only green burial section where Bio-Urn can be planted
460 Rue Dufferin,
Granby, QC J2G 9G2
(450) 378-8777
Website

City of Saskatoon
Call: (306)-975-3308
Email: cemetery@saskatoon.ca
Website

City of Regina:
Call: (306)-777-7395
Email: cemeteries@regina.ca
Website

City of Whitehorse
Call: (867) 668-8325
Email: parks@whitehorse.ca
Website

Dawson City:
Call: (867)-993-5391
Email: info@dawsonmuseum.ca
Website