News & Resources

Learn More! Interview on Global News: March 7 2025

Just as soon as the Media Release was issued, Global News was knocking on the door of one of our Green Burial Kingston Working Group members, ready to interview on the spot! Here’s the interview:

Kingston Opens Its First Green Burial Area: March 3 2025

Kingston will soon open its first Green Burial area at Pine Grove Cemetery.

It was worth the wait!

After more than 8 years of advocacy, consultation and collaboration, the City of Kingston will soon receive requests for plots in an area of native wildflowers. Here, bodies are returned to the earth with only biodegradable materials, and buried shallow to allow rapid decomposition. This is not only sustainable, but restorative for planet earth.

Pine Grove Cemetery dates from the 1850s and contains some conventional graves. But a new area has been established exclusively for more than 100 plots for natural or green burial. It’s close to the forested area just east of the cemetery.

Burials may take place from April 14 and can be purchased from March 17 2025.

“Kudos GBK! This is great news! Your success will encourage many other Ontario-based groups trying to achieve the same ends” enthused Susan Greer, President of Ontario’s Natural Burial Association, in Toronto.

Advocacy groups in about a dozen Ontario municipalities are working towards providing similar facilities. Until this breakthrough, Glenwood Cemetery, Picton, was the nearest site to Kingston. Now Kingstonians have a climate-friendly option 30 minutes from town.

Green Burial Kingston is the local group that has persistently pressed for this possibility since 2017, and those who follow their work are rejoicing at the news! There will be a celebratory event in the spring 2025.

More information

Further details about purchasing a lot and possibilities for flexible, family-directed burials at
GreenBurialKingston.com.

Lots may be purchased by contacting the Cemeteries Operator cemeteries@cityofkingston.ca or 613-546-4291 extension 1276.

Gordon F. Tompkins Funeral Home and James Reid Funeral Home will host green burial information sessions (see below) and the City of Kingston’s Cemeteries Operator will attend these sessions for plot sales.

Mon March 17 Gordon F. Tompkins (435 Davis Drive) 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Tues March 18 James Reid (1900 John Counter Boulevard) 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Wed March 19 James Reid (1900 John Counter Boulevard) 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Email us for more information @ GreenBurialKingston@gmail.com.

News from the City of Kingston: May 14 2024

City of Kingston staff continue to make the necessary operational updates to allow for the sale of green burial plots at Pine Grove Cemetery. This includes finalizing contract details with a cemetery management company and preparing Pine Grove Cemetery for the creation of additional plots for green burials. The patience of the community is appreciated in this matter. Prior to Council direction authorizing green burials, the Pine Grove Cemetery completed only a handful of burials and plot sales per year – the increase in interest in the cemetery has brought to issue additional improvements required for the operation of the cemetery in accordance with provincial legislation, which has undergone significant changes in recent years.

Op Ed piece by David Lyon: January 22 2024

David Lyon provides a fascinating account of burial practices in Kingston and area over the past several centuries in an opinion piece published by the Kingstonist. In it he shows how green burial is not actually a new idea, but the return of a traditional practice.

Visit of Mark Richardson: June 6 2023

Mark Richardson, Manager of Cemetery Services for the City of Niagara, engaged in a day-long visit to Kingston, which injected new energy and enthusiasm into the local Green Burial movement in the City.

The day began with a visit to Pine Grove Cemetery (PGC)—under smoky skies—where Mark, who established Niagara’s Willow’s Rest Green Burial Area in 2017, expressed great enthusiasm for the local project of Kingston’s obtaining some acres in the woodland to extend the existing PGC. Walking the trail within the forest area convinced him that, subject to needed hydrology tests, this area would be ideal for woodland burial. He also proposed that the whole southern edge of the current cemetery could be devoted to a green burial meadow, for 50-60 plots, unmixed with conventional graves.

Bill Morrow, Mark Richardson, and Sue Lyon walk the woodland trail behind Pine Grove Cemetery

After meeting with the Green Burial Kingston Working Group, where current strategies were discussed, the group met with Julie Salter-Keane. She’s the City’s point person for the Climate Action Plan, and oversees the natural burial initiative. Joined by several City Councillors—Greg Ridge, Wendy Stephen, Paul Chaves, Vincent Cinanni—Mark spoke briefly of his own experience with Willow’s Rest before addressing one or two questions about PGC. Julie revealed the good news that the revised bylaws for PGC would read for approval at Council in July and August, at which time we shall know more about likely prospects for natural burial there. Councillors raised some pertinent issues, but it seemed clear that they support this initiative.

The evening public event at Tula Café in the Broom Factory began with GBK members mingling at tables with guests, discussing our thoughts on the need for green burial. The delicious drinks and snacks enhanced the tone and the sense of common purpose in the room. Mark gave a very bright and clear talk about Green Burial, with illustrations from Willow’s Rest and other Canadian initiatives. His “call to action” invites all who wish to secure a green burial to write to Derek Ochej (dochej@cityofkingston.ca) and register their interest. And call your councillor to ensure that they’re ready to speak up for green burial.

The Q&A session further clarified some matters and folks were left with a sense of positive movement towards our common goals. Email feedback from participants confirmed this with a sense of eagerness to see natural burial become local and growing reality. We were pleased that younger participants showed up, along with Indigenous friends as well as settlers.

* * * June 6 Public Event: Green Light for Green Burial in Ontario? * * *

Mark Richardson, Manager of Cemeteries Services, City of Niagara will speak at a special GBK public event at 7:00-8:30 at Tula Café on June 6 2023. Tula Café is in the Old Broom Factory near the Woolen Mill, at 305 Rideau St, Kingston, ON K7K 3A9.

In the relaxed café atmosphere, where drinks and delicious snacks will be available for purchase, you’ll have a chance to hear a brief talk and then ask those questions you’ve been puzzling over. Why bury shallow? What about winter burial? Should we press the City for an expansion of Pine Grove Cemetery? Who else is working towards green burial in Ontario? Where does cremation fit in?

How Do I Plan for a Green Burial?

Sue Lyon, one of the founders of Green Burial Kingston (GBK), was recognized in the grocery store and was asked, “How do I plan for a green burial right now, even though Kingston doesn’t have a site yet?”

I am Aileen Stewart, a local Deathcare Guide and the volunteer treasurer for GBK, and I offer a response to that question in this article.

A death plan is designed by an individual, usually in consultation with their family. It reflects the ideals and values of the individual and is best to be written down. One of my roles, as a Deathcare Guide, is to assist in creating the death plan through conversation and questions and then ensuring, as much as possible, that the wishes within it are carried out after the individual’s death. Having a written plan is akin to leaving a trail of breadcrumbs for whoever is left to bury you. Knowing what you want will ease the stress of having to make decisions at a time of grieving.

“Final disposition” is the technical term used to describe how you want your body handled after death. Often, we begin to create a death plan by first talking about the choices for disposition. Natural, or green burial (these terms are interchangeable), is one of the options available to us for disposition of our bodies in Ontario. 

Natural burial involves these principles:

RSVP by email to greenburialkingston@gmail.com.

1. No embalming
2. Burial in the earth no more than 3 feet down in a biodegradable casket or shroud
3. Minimal environmental impact, allowing the land to be restored and protected
4. Modest markers or communal memorials
5. Natural surroundings for use in ritual, celebration, and enjoyment by the community

Following are some questions, based on these principles, to reflect on and answer for yourself to create a first draft of a death plan:

• What kind of casket or shroud do I want to be buried in? Where can this be obtained?
• What, if anything, do I want to be wearing?
• Do I want an outdoor service at my graveside? 

• If so, is this to be a small, private event or should it be open to anyone who wants to attend?
• Who do I want to officiate? e.g., celebrant, clergy, friend, or family.
• Do I want my family to be involved in placing earth on top of my body once I am lowered into the plot?

• Is it important to me that I have an individual marker for my grave or am I satisfied with being listed on a communal memorial? 
• What elements from nature do I want to incorporate into my burial? e.g., boughs, plant cuttings, flowers.
• Are there particular readings, music, prayers, or rituals that I want included?
• If I die in the winter, will I allow for “green embalming” to preserve my body until Spring or choose a cemetery that can offer winter burial or another method of disposition?
• Who will be responsible for carrying out my plan (and be sure to let that person know!)? Will a funeral home be involved or will the transportation and burial be family-led, perhaps with the guidance of a deathcare guide or doula?
• Where does the money to pay for my burial come from? Will I qualify for the Death Benefit of $2,500?

With a draft in hand (recognizing that it can evolve and change over time) you will feel better prepared to speak to the staff at any cemetery or funeral home about what you want and how they can meet your needs. 

In June 2022, a motion was passed to make available 33 plots for Green Burial at Pine Grove Cemetery, near Brewer’s Mills in Kingston. While this is positive news, the new by-laws are still awaiting Provincial approval. 

If you are interested in information about purchasing a plot at Pine Grove, contact Derek Ochej, the Acting Deputy City Clerk for the City of Kingston at 613-546-4291 extension 1252; dochej@cityofkingston.ca to put your name on a waiting list.

It is our hope that Kingston will one day be able to offer natural burial plots in a site that incorporates the five principles but, in the absence of a local option, the cemeteries closest to Kingston that do offer such burials are Glenwood Cemetery, in Picton, and Cobourg Union Cemetery.  Staff at either of these cemeteries can answer questions and ensure that you have what you need to create the burial that you want.  

Glenwood has a couple of spots left in their second natural burial section and hope to have a third woodland section open this Spring. There are currently plots available at Cobourg Union as well. The cost of a plot varies quite a bit between these two options: as of March 8, 2023 it is $1,300 at Glenwood and $2,500 at Cobourg for a single plot, with additional opening and closing costs of $1,300 for Glenwood and $1,900 for Cobourg. Both cemeteries encourage a visit to the site, and planning and discussion with family before pre-purchasing a plot. One caveat is that if you purchase a plot at any cemetery, and then find a better option, the cemetery can buy back your plot, but 40% of that initial cost has gone into a regulated Care and Maintenance fund and cannot be refunded. You could also sell your plot privately and transfer ownership to get back the full cost.

While final disposition is one aspect of your death plan there are also other questions to consider for your final days; for immediately after your death; and for your funeral – whether that is led by your family or by a funeral home.

As GBK members continue to advocate for a site that will encompass all of the elements of natural burial, we can still speak to our families now about what matters most to us for our after-deathcare. 

If you are interested in knowing more about death plans or family-led funerals you may want to join my workshop series that begins on March 25.  For more information you can look at my website (www.deathcarekingston.ca) or contact me directly at deathcarekingston@gmail.com

To see local options for caskets and shrouds that are suitable for natural burial you can check out what James Reid Funeral Home offers: https://jamesreidfuneralhome.com/223/Green-Burial.html

Aileen Stewart

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Building Our Expertise

Congratulations to one of our core working group members, Siobhan Skehan, who has recently been awarded a Certificate of Proficiency in Green Burial Cemetery Operation by the Green Burial Council. We asked Siobhan to tell us more about what that entailed.
 
Last year, Sue Lyon and I were among the first cohort in a new 12-week comprehensive Green Burial Masterclass, the first course of its kind. I then followed it up by completing the proficiency test last month. The course was intensive, giving valuable access to many of the pioneers and leaders in the Natural Burial Movement.

The two lead instructors, Holly Blue Hawkins, and Lee Webster, have developed a high-level and thorough course, with guest lecturers primarily from the United States but also from Canada, New Zealand, the UK and elsewhere. The Green Burial Council states that this course provides students with “a high-end technical education in cemetery management specific to green burial. We explore best practices as informed by science, the conservation community, and cemetery operator experience, plus religious and cultural needs, and the ethics of environmental justice within the context of demand for more eco-friendly, affordable, and authentic disposition options.”

The design and delivery of the course came about through a new partnership between the Green Burial Council and Redesigning the End, a professional education platform for “the next generation of eldercare, senior housing, estate planning and death care leaders.” The breadth of material covered was vast: from technology and mapping to environmental documentation, from financial and legal matters to memorialization, we explored cemetery operations from all angles. 
  
As ever, we at Green Burial Kingston are happy to talk with individuals and groups in the Kingston area who would like to learn more about what is involved in starting a new cemetery. Separate from the advocacy work of Green Burial Kingston, as an aspiring Cemeterian myself, I welcome interest from landowners in the area who would like to learn more about the possibility of devoting some land to the establishment of a natural cemetery. Email me at siobhanskehan@gmail.com

Video from Green Burial Society

January 11: “Stand-Alone” and “Hybrid” Green Burial Cemeteries: The Differences by Sarah Reid Hedberg

Only two standalone Green Burial Cemeteries exist in Canada—on Denman and Salt Spring Islands in BC—while there is a growing number of hybrid ones; four and counting in Ontario. Understanding the difference may suggest some reasons why. 

Green Burial Cemeteries may occur as a separate cemetery or as a section of an existing cemetery. As a separate, or “Stand-Alone” cemetery, the entire focus of the cemetery is on Green Burials. In an existing cemetery, or “Hybrid,” Green Burial is a section where procedures are different from the rest of the cemetery. Considering these differences engages our dedication to the environment, our acceptance of practical concerns, and our urgency to see Green Burial Cemeteries in our areas.

A Stand-Alone Green Burial Cemetery is perhaps the purest ideal when seeking to honour the environment in death. A place dedicated to the practices of green burial is a beautiful destination complete with lovely trees and fields, no monuments or mown grass. It is run by people who live out daily the vision. Right now, they are rare, however. Legal obstacles and prohibitive fees thwart kind offers of farmland and private property. A simple path it is not, at least so far. In order to see one’s wishes to be buried in a green burial cemetery realized in one’s lifetime, many look to existing cemeteries.

Hybrid isn’t such a bad word, as vehicles are demonstrating. The practical realities of running a cemetery are many: it is a regulated profession. There are reports to be filed annually, dues to be paid, and continuing education to be taken. There is weather, soil quality, tree roots, and water levels to contend with. Winter burials require machinery or storage of the dead. Income for all this is not provided from the government or grants, but comes primarily from the sale of plots, care and maintenance, and opening and closing graves, all of which is paid once per person’s lifetime. Successful hybrid cemeteries exist in Ontario—nearest to Kingston is Glenwood in Picton—where a forested and exclusively Green Burial area nestles adjacent to the historic cemetery, and is included in their existing business structure.

We often live day-to-day as if we will live forever. “Urgency smurgency,” we say by our actions; we won’t really die. Green Burial Kingston is part of a death-positive movement around the world that seeks to talk about death to improve our lives. The climate crisis is also pushing us to act now. We know that there is an urgency to create earth-friendly cemeteries for ourselves and our communities, as well as for generations to follow.

Whether existing cemeteries have a true interest in creating a Green Burial section within them remains to be seen. Whether more Stand-Alone cemeteries will be opened also remains to be seen. We are at a beginning point in the journey towards a Green Burial cemetery in the Kingston area. As we work towards one, dedication, acceptance of the practical, and urgency motivate us to sort out the best path.

December 1: Webinar with Lorraine Fracy

Lorraine Fracy, Manager of Business Development & Client Services at Royal Oak Burial Park, Victoria, BC, was our guest for a GBK-hosted webinar on December 1. Lorraine told the story of how Royal Oak successfully added a green burial area to their historic cemetery. After the presentation, Lorraine answered questions from the webinar participants.

Did you miss it? If so, just click on the link below to hear/view the recording.

Introducing Green Burial Kingston (GBK) and Green Goodbyes: Webinar Follow-up

On Wednesday evening, May 25, 2021, GBK held a webinar to update members and interested parties about the work that has been undertaken, and to host a presentation by Katrina Woods, from the Natural Burial Association, on Green Goodbyes. The session was very well received, and for those who were unable to attend, or wish to follow up on what was presented, we offer the following links:

To join Green Burial Kingston is a quick registration and payment of $20:  https://www.greenburialkingston.com and choose “become a member”.

To receive updates from the Natural Burial Association, click https://naturalburialassociation.ca and scroll to the bottom of the home page.

To contact any of the panelists:

Katrina Woods:  katrina@naturalburialassociation.ca

Sue Lyon:  greenburialkingston@gmail.com

Aileen Stewart: deathcarekingston@gmail.com or  https://deathcarekingston.ca

Sarah Reid-Hedberg: sarah@jamesreidfuneralhome.com or https://jamesreidfuneralhome.com

Nancy MacMillan: cedarpath8@gmail.com or https://nancyjmacmillan.com/index.html

For information on consumer rights check out The Bereavement Authority of Ontario:

https://www.thebao.ca

Kingston City Council Passes Unanimous Motion to Support Natural Burials

Written by Sue Lyon, Lead Coordinator, Green Burial Kingston, March 31, 2021

Back in 2017, my friend Siobhan Skehan and I were chatting about green burial alternatives and decided that as no one was advocating for this, we should go for it. We arranged to host a Green Burial information table at the 2018 Skeleton Park Arts Festival, which sparked much interest. Shortly afterwards, Siobhan and her family left to live in South Korea and I wondered how I should continue. After a while, I took the plunge, contacted some likely co-conspirators and not long afterwards took the role of lead collaborator for a new group—Green Burial Kingston. 

On Sunday December 1 2019 a dozen interested people met at 99 York Street for tea, cakes and a lively discussion. Monthly meetings continued at 99 York Street and several committed to form the core working group. When the pandemic hit in 2020 our meetings moved to Zoom, although we managed to hold one outdoor meeting in the summer of 2020. Our first project together was to produce some brochures for local distribution. Bruce Downey patiently worked on several versions of a logo and his work lends grace to our website and flyers today.

By November 2020 the brochures were printed and, thanks to the creativity of Rena Upitis, our website was soon active too. Our membership grew and members were invited to join in one of our new working groups for as much time as they could offer. The current working groups are Education and Outreach, Legal Issues, Site Prospecting, and Communications. 

On January 26 2021 a letter was sent to all Kingston councillors explaining green burial and asking them to recognize its importance. We requested that the city help us find a suitable site or sites for green burial within the city limits. We also affirmed their desire for Kingston to be a sustainable city, showing how green burial would help to fulfil this dream.

Several councillors responded enthusiastically to that email letter, and asked further questions. Councillor Hutchison phoned me for a lengthy conversation and suggested that we bring a motion to council to further this cause. After meeting with city staff, Councillor Hutchison sent me the proposed motion and asked that I help create the ‘whereas’ clauses. 

Once the agenda for the council meeting was announced on Thursday March 18, we began a deliberate campaign to all councillors. Some constituents from each district emailed their councillor asking them to support this motion. Again many positive responses were received.

The motion was checked with city staff on Tuesday March 23 and with just one word changed it was ready to go. Here is MOTION #20:

The Council meeting began at 7pm. I had never watched a whole meeting before and it was truly interesting. Three hours later, motion #20 was proposed by Councillor Hutchison and seconded by Councillor Osanic. After Councillor Hutchison’s initial comments discussion ensued, including a suggestion that maybe in future years green burial will become as popular as cremation is today. The first crematorium in Canada was established in 1901 in Mount Royal cemetery Quebec. In 1970 only 5.9% of Canadians chose cremation but that number has risen rapidly in recent years and currently around 75% of Kingstonians choose cremation.

We high-fived when the motion passed unanimously. Now we wait for the report from staff which will be ready by December of this year. However, Green Burial Kingston is not sitting back and waiting. We are actively looking for sites, primarily within existing cemeteries but a standalone site on public or private property would be a wonderful option too.

Natural Burial Association Webinar March 10, 2021

The Natural Burial Association of Canada is hosting a free webinar on March 10 at 7 pm. Called “Plotting Your Future” the session will explore what to do if there is no natural burial ground in your community, the role of the funeral home, how to talk to family about your wishes as well as other related topics. Contact the Natural Burial Association of Canada directly to learn more at https://naturalburialassociation.ca/get-in-touch/

Green Burials and Sustainable Kingston

David Lyon’s Op-Ed piece was published in the Kingston Whig Standard on Saturday, February 27, 2021. He writes:

Our bodies can be a blessing, not a blight, on the earth. As they decompose over several years, they release rich nutrients into the soil, replenishing it for growth on the surface. American researchers show that this restores natural habitats and contributes to land conservation, restoring agricultural land, maintaining green on the urban fringe or providing forest adjacent to conserved land. As well, European biologists argue that natural burial’s potential for encouraging biodiversity and preventing loss of species is considerable.

Click here to read the full article.

Imagining a Natural Burial Area in a Conventional Cemetery

The holiday season offered opportunities for another take on green burial: a gingerbread themed portrayal of our dream. Green Burial Kingston seeks a site, perhaps adding to a conventional cemetery—seen in the background—with a new, natural burial section, treed and planted with indigenous growth (wait for spring!). This contoured space suggests maybe a hillside lot, shown here with the single, shared stone marker with the names of all buried here.

Swan Song Festival

Aileen Stewart and Nancy MacMillan, both members of Green Burial Kingston, organized the Kingston Swan Song Festival, which took place on October 17, 2020.

Coffins for Green Burials

Excerpts from an article from Inside Ottawa Valley. Click here to see the full article.

Donna Klassen started Earthbound Coffins — a family-owned business — to provide an alternative, eco-friendly option for people who desire a simple and green burial.

Inspiration for the company and its philosophy came out of the sudden death of her own father nearly 15 years ago in British Columbia.

“He was still in his coveralls changing the oil on his truck,” she said.

Klassen’s father had a deadly heart attack at age 65. As the death was sudden, there were no plans in place. When picking out a casket, the family didn’t find anything that truly suited her father.

In contrast, her husband, Jack Hollinger, who is a professor with the heritage carpentry program at Algonquin College, made his own father’s coffin.

When Hollinger’s father died at home, they were able to put him in the handcrafted coffin — a much more personal experience.

“He was buried in an unlined box in the cemetery up the road with no embalming,” said Klassen. “It was natural burial.”

Klassen has been learning alongside her husband in his workshop adjacent to their home in Ferguson’s Falls to help make the dream a reality. The business finally launched this past summer.