Green burial in Victoria BC. The frugal, better choice, and it's happening now.

Green burials are becoming much more common in Victoria, than they were a short time ago. They accept many types of biodegradable vessel to be used as coffins. Wood, wool and wicker are all acceptable.

The best cemetery is a not for profit facility that doubles as a public park.

 I cut this from their website.

"Royal Oak Burial Park is the only not-for-profit, community-owned burial park and cremation memorial facility in the Victoria, BC region. This is a unique point of difference for families and individuals planning for the future or coping with the recent loss of a loved one. We will provide helpful, honest and accurate information, dignified and respectful services; and offer a uniquely beautiful place in which to honor and remember your loved ones."
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This is something I posted last month, when my friend's mother was buried here.
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 My friend's mother,  Dorothy,  recently died. She was buried in the green area of the cemetery. I prepared a short eulogy. She was 93, so had a pretty good run.

 An attractive,  but fairly plain pine box was used and she was covered in  a cotton shroud.

 This part of the cemetery uses only native plants and fits people in around  large fir, maple and arbutus trees. People are planted very tightly,  even in the pathways. There's no wasted space.

 The cemetery is municipally owned, so it's also used as a public park where dogs are allowed.

Dorothy choose this spot. She liked the idea that she would fertilize the forest.

The only maintenance in this section, is the upkeep of bark covered pathways and removal of dead fall that affects paths. All debris rots in place.

Dale, this is the first argument against cremation that resonates with me. Not that it will be my concern when the time comes. Beautiful, respectful photos, thank you.

Thank you, Ann. I don't have a problem with cremation, since it prevents a chunk of land being taken out of service.

The main thing that I like about this spot, is the park land aspect. Burials pay to maintain a public park. Even the roadway and trails become burial plots. Newly planted trees are watered and protected from deer, then nature takes over.

A guy comes twice a year to engrave names onto the big rock slabs. Individual graves have GPS coordinates.

High ground to the sides, has rock outcrops and forms a natural edge to the cemetery. It's the fastest growing type of burial.

very cool idea.

while i planned to be cremated (assuming there isnt limit fuel to do so) and ashes spread, but this looks like a great alternative. either way i was it done on the farm i die on.


i wonder how big of a pain in the ass it would be to do here in the US.

In the states, it could vary by state, county and town council.

Even major crime is hugely variable. Florida locks the cell and throws away the key, for drug issues that draw a fine and a warning in Alaska.

Perfect for my Mom. I hope I can ship her ashes there and have them spread. She loved Victoria and was Canadian born as were her children. It has been over 10 years and I was waiting for a resolution like this. Thank you for sharing.

Kat Green wrote:Perfect for my Mom. I hope I can ship her ashes there and have them spread. She loved Victoria and was Canadian born as were her children. It has been over 10 years and I was waiting for a resolution like this. Thank you for sharing.

I will gladly spread them, unless that's reserved for a friend or relative.

When we shopped for coffins for Dorothy,  the cheapest ones were still over $2000. A wave of greed swept over me like a warm blanket.  I immediately started to see dollar signs. The simple designs are easy to duplicate.  I know how to make stuff. I'd like to have $2000. I kept quiet, a difficult thing for me. Somehow, the occasion of my friend's mother's demise, seemed like a bad time to roll out a business idea.

The cemetery provides some very simple criteria for burial vessels. I should easily be able to meet their requirements.

 Some people have been buried in hollowed out logs. I'm in the tree business and I have all the necessary equipment to make hollow logs.

 I will try to market log coffins from the funeral homes and failing this,  I will market them myself.

Suddenly, the business of death, doesn't bother me like it used to.

Here's more photos. In areas with shallow soil, big rock walls hold back fill.

The manicured graves look quite plain, compared to the more natural area.