Green burial is a statement of personal values for those who seek to minimize their impact on the local and global environment. Green burial is the practice where the body is returned to the earth to decompose naturally and over time, becomes part of the eco-system. Once the burial has been completed and the grave allowed to settle, the surface of the site is planted with indigenous flowers and grasses, ferns, small shrubs and trees. When the green burial section is fully utilized, the site becomes a restored forest, merging with the local eco-system. Royal Oak Burial Park in Victoria, B.C. is certified by the Natural Burial Association of Canada and Green Burial Council of North America. Mountain View Cemetery in Vancouver is a hybrid green cemetery through the Green Burial Council. Burials do not require the use of embalming, or vaults and liners. Biodegradable urns and caskets are accepted.
For further information, check these websites:
www.vancouver.ca/your-government/mountain-view-cemetery.aspx
www.naturalburialassoc.ca
www.memorialsocietybc.org/c/g/green.html