Nova Scotia is embracing green burial practices, providing eco-friendly alternatives to traditional funeral and burial methods. Green burial, also known as natural burial, minimizes environmental impact by emphasizing simplicity, sustainability, and the natural decomposition of the body. While Nova Scotia is still expanding its options for green burial, interest and advocacy continue to grow.
What is a Green Burial?
A green burial focuses on returning the body to the earth in a way that fosters natural decomposition and minimizes harm to the environment. Key elements of green burial include:
- No Embalming: Avoiding harmful embalming chemicals that can contaminate the soil.
- Biodegradable Materials: Using caskets, shrouds, or urns made from materials like untreated wood, wicker, or cotton.
- No Vaults: Skipping concrete or plastic vaults to allow the body to interact directly with the soil.
- Natural Landscaping: Maintaining burial grounds with native plants and minimal intervention to preserve biodiversity.
Why Choose a Green Burial?
Opting for a green burial offers several advantages:
- Environmental Benefits: Reduces the use of non-biodegradable materials and avoids chemical contamination.
- Cost Savings: Simplified burial practices eliminate the need for expensive caskets, vaults, and embalming.
- Connection to Nature: Provides a peaceful, natural resting place for loved ones, fostering comfort and reflection.
History of Green Burial Advocacy in Nova Scotia
Green burial advocacy in Nova Scotia is driven by a combination of environmental awareness and cultural respect for nature. The key milestones include:
- Early 2000s – Initial Advocacy: Environmental organizations and community leaders began discussing sustainable burial options as an alternative to traditional methods.
- Mid-2010s – Growing Awareness: Initiatives by groups like the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax brought attention to green burial practices, sparking interest among Nova Scotians.
- 2020 – Legislation and Regulation Development: Efforts to clarify provincial policies for green burial have been underway, ensuring that eco-friendly practices align with existing funeral and cemetery regulations.
- Present – Expanding Availability: Several cemeteries across Nova Scotia now offer green burial options, with advocacy efforts focused on increasing accessibility and public awareness.
Green Burial Options in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia offers a growing number of green burial options for those seeking environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional interments. These cemeteries are located across the province and provide services that prioritize ecological sustainability, including biodegradable materials and natural settings. Here are some of the key locations:
Burlington Community Cemetery (Burlington, NS)
Located in Burlington, Nova Scotia, this cemetery offers a designated green burial section in a pasture adjacent to its historic grounds. The cemetery focuses on minimal ecological impact, allowing burials in biodegradable shrouds or simple wooden caskets. Gravesites are left to naturalize, with the option for individual markers.
St. Paul’s Anglican Church Natural Burial Site (French Village, NS)
Situated in French Village, about 40 minutes from Halifax, this natural burial ground is being developed on 11 hectares of forested land. It will offer full-body green burials and eco-friendly cremation interments. The site aims for conservation status to preserve its memorial forest.
Resurrection Community Cemetery (Sydney, NS)
Located in Sydney, Nova Scotia, this cemetery provides green burial options that avoid toxic chemicals and non-biodegradable materials. It adheres to Nova Scotia’s legislation, ensuring burial practices meet municipal and provincial regulations.
Green Burial Cost Comparison in Nova Scotia
| Service Type | Average Cost (CAD) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Green Burial | $2,500 – $4,500 | Includes a natural burial plot, biodegradable casket or shroud, and basic interment services. |
| Direct Burial | $2,000 – $4,000 | A simple burial without embalming or a ceremony. Costs typically include a basic casket, plot, and interment fees. |
| Direct Cremation | $1,000 – $2,500 | Involves cremation without a service. Costs include the cremation process, basic documentation, and transportation. |
| Aquamation (Water Cremation) | $2,000 – $4,000 | An environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cremation, using water and alkali to accelerate decomposition. Costs typically include the process, urn, and basic transportation. Note: Aquamation is not yet available in Nova Scotia as of late 2024. Cost is derived from average in other provinces. |
| Traditional Cremation | $4,000 – $6,000 | Combines cremation with a full funeral service, including viewings and ceremonies. |
| Traditional Burial | $7,000 – $10,000+ | A full-service funeral with embalming, an elaborate casket, and a formal ceremony. Costs include plot fees, interment, and memorials. |
Planning a Green Burial in Nova Scotia
When planning a green burial in Nova Scotia:
- Choose a Cemetery: Research cemeteries that offer green burial options.
- Understand Local Regulations: Ensure compliance with provincial and municipal regulations for burial practices.
- Select Biodegradable Materials: Work with your funeral director to choose an eco-friendly casket or shroud.
- Document Your Wishes: Clearly communicate your preference for a green burial in your will or pre-planning documents.
- Engage with Advocacy Groups: Stay informed through organizations like Green Burial Nova Scotia.
Advocacy and Resources in Nova Scotia
- Green Burial Society of Canada: Offers information and certification for green burial practices.
- Green Burial Nova Scotia: Focuses on increasing awareness and accessibility of green burial options in the province.
