The Centre for Natural Burial

By TARINA WHITE, SUN MEDIA

Forget about striving to live greener, it’s time to focus on dying greener.

That was the topic yesterday at the Western Canadian Cemetery Association’s annual convention in Calgary.

Cemeteries that strive to protect the environment have been cropping up across the U.K. for decades, but the idea is in its infancy in Canada, said Rob Hilton, who runs a cemetery planning and design consultancy in Ontario.

Known as “green” burials, the body cannot be embalmed because chemicals used during the process can leach into the soil, said Hilton.

And the deceased must be buried inside a biodegradable casket, such as wood, wicker, recycled cardboard or natural fibre, that is free of metal handles or screws.

There are just six cemeteries in Canada that have allocated sections for environmentally-minded citizens to be buried, said Hilton, adding a cemetery in Victoria, B.C., is unveiling a green burial section this fall.

In Calgary, the city is in the process of acquiring new land for cemeteries because it expects to run out of burial space within 10 years.

Archie Lang, the city’s cemetery manager, is keen to create green burial sections at future cemeteries.

“There a definitely people that do want a green cemetery and are looking for that opportunity,” he said.

“It’s just something that’s kind of on the cutting edge right now — that’s why we’re talking about it.”