Natural Burial in Canada

Message from the President

A warm welcome to all our new members! We are currently working with a number of landowners across the country to establish Canada’s first natural burial ground. Progress is, of course… slow, however we are optimistic that we will have something to show for our efforts in the new year.

I am greatly encouraged by all your support and would like to say thank you for joining the co-operative.

Many members have asked how they can get involved and the answer is simple; share YOUR vision, talk to your friends and neighbors about natural burial (you would be surprised at how many people are fascinated by this movement).

A growing membership is exactly what we need to help win over hesitant landowners and legislators, nothing motivates people more than a proven demand; encourage others to join us.

Yours in service,

Mike Salisbury
President, and Co-founding Member
The Natural Burial Co-operative, Inc.

Recent News!

Leading Natural Burial Internet Sites Merge

In order to respond to the rapidly changing developments in the field of natural burial, Forest of Memories is merging together with the Natural Burial Co-operative to establish a global information portal; The Centre for Natural Burial. Read more…

Natural Burial Featured in Harrowsmith

“What a Way to Go” an article on natural burial by Bridget Wayland which appears in this past April’s Harrowsmith Country Life magazine, features insights from Natural Burial Co-operative president, Michael Salisbury.

“It may surprise you, but unless you specify in advance, your own burial could be an environmental nightmare. The alternative, a so-called “green” burial, is really catching on. Especially among environmentally aware baby boomers. Read more…

Co-operative Becomes Member of Green Enterprise Toronto (GET)

The co-founding members of the natural burial co-operative are pleased to announce that the co-operative has become a business member of Green Enterprise Toronto (GET). Founded by Chris Lowry, GET helps local independent businesses to thrive while building an economy that values people, planet, and profit. We encourage consumers and businesses to buy goods and services from our members based on their shared commitment to these values. GET is supported by the volunteer efforts of a group of local entrepreneurs. Read more…

Natural Burial Featured in Toronto Star

The Toronto Star featured a 2-page feature in the Health section on Friday January 26, 2007. The article provided a detailed overview of natural burial and your Co-operative’s President, Mike Salisbury was quoted prominently. Read more…

What is a Natural Burial Ground?

One of the first questions that people often ask is, “What is a natural burial ground?”

Looking at existing natural burial grounds, from the first UK burial ground in Carlisle, to the latest natural burial ground in New York State, exactly “what” a green burial ground is seems to depends on the values and purpose of the founding organization.

A natural burial ground can be a:

* Land conservation effort
* Low cost burial option
* Spiritual expression
* An expression of personal values
* Way to save the family farm from development

On Earth Day 2006 the Natural Burial Co-operative, Inc. was created with the goal of establishing natural burial cemeteries across Canada that will preserve green spaces and provide a dignified and environmentally responsive burial option.

The Natural Burial Co-operative is founded upon a co-operative business model that honors;

* Conservation
* Sustainability
* Socially Responsible Business Values

You can help us grow our membership!

The online membership registration service allows consumers to take action with their interest in natural burial and like you, become members of Canada’s first Natural Burial Co-operative. As members, consumers join other like-minded individuals in helping to shape the future of the organization whose goal is to make natural burial a reality in Canada. Spread the word….encourage your friends and family to visit our website and to become members online at www.naturalburial.coop

Do you own the land we’re looking for? Protect it….FOREVER!

The Natural Burial Co-operative, Inc. is currently accepting expressions of interest from landowners seeking to establish natural burial grounds as a means to restore and rehabilitate their property.

The Natural Burial Co-operative, Inc. employs a very stringent environmental selection process and not all sites are suitable. According to the Co-operative the ideal property is:

* Located within a short drive from a populated area
* Cleared or open field adjacent to an existing forest or green space
* Between 10-50 acres available for interment, set within a larger tract of land

The Natural Burial Co-operative, Inc. will work with interested landowners to develop an implementation plan that meets the needs of the property owner while serving the greater good. Interested land owners can contact Christopher Roy, Vice-President and Co-founding Member.

Investment in Natural Burial now RRSP Eligible

Socially responsible investors can now put their dollars to work to help protect and restore natural environments while saving for their retirement.

In partnership with the Canadian Worker Co-Op Federation, the Natural Burial Co-operative has announced that investment in the co-operative is now RRSP eligible.

“We are building a sustainable and socially responsible business by helping each other celebrate life, in a manner that is both good for people and the planet” said Mike Driscoll of the Co-operative.

“Our unique co-operative structure gives you a powerful voice in the performance and operation of the business, and your investment.”

Interested investors can contact Mike Driscoll, Treasurer and Co-founding Member.

Natural Burial Library - New Books Relating to Natural Burial

Grave Matters By Mark Harris

On a family trip back from the Georgia coast in the summer of 2003, I stopped off in the tiny town of Westminster, South Carolina (pop. 2,000), to see the Ramsey Creek Preserve for myself.

Sitting in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, not far from the Georgia border, Ramsey Creek is the first — and at that time only — “natural” cemetery in the United States. On this thirty-plus acre woodland, heavily forested with mostly yellow and shortleaf pine, the dead are buried in simple graves, vaults are banned, embalming prohibited. The idea, so at odds with modern burial, is to allow the body to re-join the elements, to perpetuate the cycles of nature, to return dust to dust.

For the better part of an afternoon, I walked the rough trail that cut through the memorial preserve, and afterwards talked with its founder, Billy Campbell — the town doctor — and his wife and business partner, Kimberley. By the time I got back to the Greenville hotel to collect my family, I felt sure Ramsey Creek represented not only a viable “green burial” option but one resonant enough to define a new, more truly natural American Way of death.

I’d also walked into a book project. For the next two years, I traveled the country in pursuit of other burial options that, like interment at Ramsey Creek, returned remains to the elements, were sparing of resources and, thus, light on the pocketbook. The result of that effort is Grave Matters: A Journey Through the Modern Funeral Industry to a Natural Way of Burial.

I had two goals. One, to inform families that they don’t have to submit to the strictures of the modern funeral when death comes calling (i.e., embalming is almost never required). And, two, to offer a picture of the many more truly natural alternatives that exist and then show how to access them.

Copies of the book can be obtained online at www.gravematters.us

Remember Me: A Lively Tour of the New American Way of Death (Hardcover) by Lisa Takeuchi Cullen

(Reader quote) “What an absolutely delightful journey through so many diverse, interesting and indeed refreshingly bizarre funeral rites! After reading the accounts detailed in Remember Me, I felt strangely empowered. I came to understand that though I may not have control over when death occurs, I certainly have control over my ultimate disposal. Remember Me gave me a new and different perspective on life. More so than ever before, I now realize that with proper planning, my death can actually be my very own final statement on what I, as a person, stood for in life.”

To order, and to read more reviews, please visit: www.amazon.ca

Co-operative Management

Natural Burial Co-operative By-laws Updated

The co-operative management team updated the co-operative bylaws in response to membership inquiry regarding consumer members of the co-operative. We adjusted the language to clearly state the requirements of consumer members who are forming the bulk our membership community. Read more…