Organizations
Green Burial Society of Canada
The leading Canadian organization setting the standard for green burial and environmentally sustainable death-care practices in Canada.
Natural Burial Association
Envisions Green Burial Grounds all across Ontario and helps communities make this dream a reality.
Bereavement Authority of Ontario
Regulates and supports licensed funeral industry operations in Ontario.
Green Burial Council
The American national Green Burial advocacy and education organization. Their website includes a great deal of valuable information.
Some information may not apply in Canada.
Community Deathcare Ottawa
One of our allies in the Ottawa Area. Now they have a Green Burial committee as well.
Green Burial Grounds
Willow’s Rest: Niagara Falls, Ontario
Part of a municipal cemetery.
Glenwood Cemetery: Picton, Ontario
Glenwood Cemetery is now licensed to offer Green Burials in a natural forest within the cemetery. This separate section is specially designed to permit human remains to be returned to the earth as naturally as possible.
Hybrid Cemeteries
Waterloo Parkview
Parkview Cemetery in Waterloo includes a space for Green Burials,
Cobourg Union Cemetery
Cobourg Union offers ecoburials in a meadow overlooking Cobourg Creek and the golf course beyond.
Businesses
Earthbound Coffins
Locally made from Lanark County Timber, these biodegradable coffins include non-toxic glue and minimal hardware.
GBOV Articles & Videos
Valley Gazette – GBOV Presentation to Killaloe Council
Green Burial Ottawa Valley Board Chair Megan Spencer made a presentation to the Council of Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards Township on September 26, 2023. The presentation focused on an existing one-acre cemetery operated by the Township on Wildlife Road but not presently active. GBOV is proposing to run the cemetery in partnership with the Township. About 20 supporters of green burial were present and the Township reported it had received about 30 emails in support of green burial.
North Grenville Times – April 2022
The Environmental Impact of Death and the Green Burial Alternative – by Sasha Honsl, Director, Green Burial Ottawa Valley
Ottawa Citizen – Feb 2021
The green death: How environmentally friendly options are changing the way we bury our dead
Interview with Megan Spencer, President, Green Burial Ottawa Valley
Video from Citizen Article
The video embedded in the Citizen article above
Videos
Mark Richardson Interview
Mark is manager of cemetery services for the city of Niagara Falls. In 2016 and 2017 he worked to establish a two-acre section of Fairview Cemetery as Willow’s Rest, a Natural Burial Ground. This interview with the Bereavement Authority of Ontario is dated April 20, 2023.
Steelmantown
About a reclaimed cemetery in New Jersey, this video shows green burial as a beautiful and practical option.
Documents
Guest Post on Dying with Dignity Canada – October 2020
My Thoughts on Green Burial in Canada by Susan Greer, Executive Director, Natural Burial Association
Green Burial Planning Guide
A succinct, easy to use fill‐in worksheet that helps define goals, indicate preferences and choices, and identify persons designated to complete an individual’s final wishes. Provided by the Green Burial Council.
Guide for Families
This article is designed to walk families through some common understandings and perceptions regardless of where the burial occurs, and to answer questions that will help make a first green burial experience meaningful for all.
Back to earth | CBC News
The full article about Judy Henry and her burial in Picton’s Glenwood Cemetery.