Natural Burials FAQ
What is a Burial Shroud?
A burial shroud is a fabric covering for the body used for burials and cremations in place of caskets or other burial containers. Burial shrouds have been used for thousands of years.
What is a Natural Burial?
Natural Burial, or Green Burial, is an earth-conscious alternative to modern methods of disposition. It is simply the placing of an unembalmed body into the earth in a biodegradable container - either a shroud or casket, without a vault or grave liner.
The body is buried at a shallower grave depth, approximately 2-3 feet, where microorganisms are most abundant to digest the tissues and provide nutrients to regenerate the surrounding environment.
This is a simple and fulfilling way to give gratitude to the earth, preserve the environment, and embrace the natural cycles of life and death. This is how bodies have been buried for thousands of years prior.
Are Burial Shrouds only accepted in Natural Burial Cemeteries and Natural Burial Sections of Cemeteries?
No. Each cemetery and crematorium has its own by-laws and requirements for interment and cremation. Not all cemeteries require a casket and or a vault. Be sure to check with your intended cemetery prior to purchasing a burial shroud.
Our shroud accommodates an untreated wooden backboard (1"x10"x6') which will satisfy the by-law requiring a rigid-bottom container.
Please scroll to the bottom of the page for our growing list of cemeteries that have already approved use of our shroud.
Does a casket have to be purchased in order to have a visitation or reception with a Funeral Home?
No. Funeral Homes are legally required to offer a casket rental option. The casket may be used for the service, and then the deceased may be interred with the shroud. That being said, the shroud is completely suitable for a visitation at the discretion of the funeral home. The shroud is specifically designed to be able to provide dignified coverage to the deceased while still exposing their face for viewing if desired. Either way you don't have to miss out on certain aspects of a funeral that you wish for, while still making an economical and environmentally friendly choice.
Can a Funeral Home or Cemetery charge more if I use a container from another provider?
No. According to the legislation laid out by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario a Funeral Home may not charge more for this.
Am I legally required to use a Funeral Home or Transfer Service?
No, family-led deathcare is legal - and how we were doing it for thousands of years prior. "Family members can legally provide funeral services without a licence, except for arterial embalming, for their deceased loved one. They cannot be paid for these services." However, family-led deathcare is something that should be planned in advance to make sure you feel well prepared.
Where are Natural Burials available in Ontario?
You can technically have a natural burial at any cemetery that accepts a shroud. If a rigid bottom container is required in their by-laws, you would just need to add a backboard into the backboard pocket of the shroud to meet this requirement. The only difference would be how the grounds above the grave are maintained - true to natural burial, or aligned with the modern cemetery aesthetic.
Currently there are no dedicated natural burial grounds in Ontario, but they are on the way. Ontario's first dedicated site will be in Simcoe County, north of Barrie, and will be coming in the next few years.
However, Ontario does have more than 15 Hybrid Cemeteries already. Hybrids are natural/green sections within, or attached to, standard cemeteries, ranging from half to two acres in size.
Cemeteries that have approved the Forrest Mourning Shroud:
- Taylor's Meadow, Woodlawn Memorial Park. Guelph, ON
- Parkview Cemetery, Waterloo, ON. *with backboard
- Earthsong Meadow, Lakefield Cemetery, Peterborough, ON
- Pinegrove Cemetery, Kingston ON *with backboard
- Glenwood Cemetery, Picton ON
This is an ongoing list with more approvals on the way. This is not to say that cemeteries not listed will not accept our shroud, but you must check first. Many cemetery by-laws require a back board, which our shroud does accommodate.
The cemeteries listed below truly embody the principles of Natural Burial.
Glenwood Cemetery in Picton.
Holstein Cemetery in Grey County. A website has not yet been created, so you may contact Brian Stevenson at 519-323-7904.
Willow's Rest in Niagara Falls.
Union Cemetery in Cobourg.
St. James Cemetery in Roseneath.
The Natural Burial Association is closely involved with the advocation and creation of Natural Burial Cemeteries in Ontario.
To read more about which Natural Burial Cemeteries are in the works, please visit their website here.