Salt Spring Island Natural Cemetery on Salt Spring Island.
A licenced cemetery and forest memorial offering a place for remembering, contemplating and celebrating life and death.
Choosing to be buried or scattered in this cemetery helps to preserve and protect acres of forested land in the Burgoyne Valley on Salt Spring Island.
A natural burial supports the natural environment at all levels so that future generations will enjoy old growth forests.
Memorializing our people reminds us that we are a part of something greater than just ourselves; that we are a part of this universe through past present and future.
Who we are, who we were, who we will be is connected to all life and the timelessness of the universe.
Video
Natural Burial Association video:
Eternally Green Video:
Presentation Video:
Audio
CBC Radio Interview: If you don't want your carbon footprint following you to the grave, green burials are a growing option. We take a trip from coast to coast to discover what exactly they are and how you can arrange one.
In the Green Chair: Taking care of death with Cathy Valentine.
Publications
QUOTE from an article in the GLOBE and MAIL:
" Those planning for a natural burial, however, have few choices. A "standalone" is a burial ground created in natural settings and not connected to conventional cemeteries. These are wild and lush spaces, void of tombstones, that people are encouraged to use in much the same way they would a park. Canada has only one standalone that's open to the public, the Salt Spring Island Natural Cemetery, in B.C."
""We both love the tranquil and beautiful place you have created for folks like us to rejoin the earth, and are grateful for the care and spirit with which you have done that."
~ Susanna J.
The Land
The Salt Spring Island Natural Cemetery is located between the ocean and the hills, in the Burgoyne Valley on Salt Spring Island. Through farm and forest, down a winding lane, you will come to what looks like a typical Coastal Douglas Fir forest. Walk up the hill a little and you will find that amongst the stand of large Fir and Maple trees, is a burial ground.
The grounds offer peaceful spots for contemplation and remembering, a rustic gathering place for small celebrations, walking trails, plots for burial of full body or cremated remains, and places for scattering ashes.
This land is protected as a cemetery in perpetuity through a provincial Certificate of Public Interest on the property title and the cemetery is licenced as a provincial Place of Interment (licence #78285). We have a perpetual Care Fund that holds 25% of all moneys paid for plots, and will manage the care of the land forever.
We acknowledge the unceded territory and ancestors of Coast Salish First Nations of Salt Spring Island and surrounding areas who continue to use and steward the lands and waters of the Salish Sea. These include the Quw'utsun Tribes (Cowichan), Spune'luxutth (Penelakut), BOḰEĆEN (Paquachin), MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip) and W̱SIḴEM (Tseycum) nations.
As the current stewards of this land, the cemetery helps to ensure our mission to see the forest return to one of giant Douglas Firs. Coastal Douglas Fir ecosystems are at risk – by being buried here, you are helping to protect and grow these trees and contribute to an old growth forest. For every burial we commit to plant at least one tree on the land.
In the 5 1/2 hectares of Cemetery grounds you will find Coastal Douglas Fir plants such as, Salal, Sword fern, Oregon Grape and Vanilla Leaf. There are lichen, moss and diverse fungi. Resident animals include amphibians, Red Squirrels, Chestnut Backed Chickadees, Raven, Bald Eagles, Downy-, Hairy- and Pileated- Woodpeckers, and Great Horned-, Saw Whet-, Northern Pygmy- and Barred Owls.
Learn more about Coastal Douglas Fir Forests
Visit our farm: http://www.nightowlfarm.ca/
Green Burial
Salt Spring Island Natural Cemetery is the first entirely green burial Cemetery open to the public in Canada! Canada has only 2 Conservation Burial Grounds on 2 of the small islands on the west coast of British Columbia – Denman and Salt Spring Islands. The mission and ethics of green burial were our first thoughts in beginning this project years ago.
Green Burial or Natural Burial is caring for and burying our friends and families in the the ways of our ancestors. We wrap our loved ones in natural fibres, we build biodegradable caskets and baskets, we set them into a fern-lined shallow grave, and we mark their place with a simple stone memorial.
In a natural burial cemetery all graves look alike, and all return to the natural forest. The memorial stones are gathered from this land; they all resemble each other, yet each is unique. We are a community here, as on Salt Spring – unique, caring and environmentally conscious.
In the Salt Spring Island Natural Cemetery, no chemicals are used in the bodies, caskets, urns or landscaping. Only biodegradable materials are put into and on top of the ground. Only indigenous plants are used in the reforestation. Bio-diversity of plants and animals is the mission of this land. Conservation and protection of this natural wild habitat is the heart of this natural burial cemetery.
For more information on Green Burial, please visit:
The Green Burial Society of Canada https://www.greenburialcanada.ca/
The Green Burial Council (U.S.) https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/
Cemetery Services
Full Body Burial plots
This is a full body green burial grave. We offer pre-need and at-need sales of a "Right of Interment" – which is the right to be buried (later or now) in a grave in the cemetery. Single or multiple Rights of Interment/graves may be purchased. Double-depth graves can be purchased for spouses and special friends.
You can be buried in a container made of natural materials, or placed directly into the ground, simply shrouded in a locally handmade cotton shroud.
Cremation Burial plots
We offer pre-need and at-need sales of a "Right of Interment" for cremated remains. The Right of Interment is an agreement giving you the right to be buried (later or now) in a grave in the cemetery. Single or multiple Rights of Interment/graves can be purchased.
Cremated remains can be buried in a container made of natural materials or poured directly into the earth at the base of a tree or a favorite plant.
Scattering of Cremated Remains
Cremated Remains of loved ones can be scattered in the forest in designated areas for scattering.
Grave-digging
We dig the graves with a small and efficient mine-excavator. If you wish, friends and families can fill-in the grave. The environmental cost of machine use will be offset by planting at least one tree on the land for every burial. Trees are an excellent way to reduce carbon in the atmosphere.
Memorial Stones
Field and forest stones from this land are used as memorial and grave markers. It is not permissible to bring stones from elsewhere. Stones vary in type and size; you can choose from a variety of them. The stones are sandblasted with name, year of birth and death, and if you wish, a small simple image.
Gatherings
In a beautiful forest setting at the base of the Cemetery, we offer a large outdoor post and beam shed for friends and family to gather. There is potable water, a firepit, 2 tables and seating for 48 people. There is a cute outhouse with a forest view. We have parking for 30 cars – please ask people to carpool.
Meetings
To book a telephone or in person meeting to discuss our services, please fill out the online form or email us. We are happy to discuss all your questions and wishes.
Rates
The land is dedicated to each person's use in perpetuity. Taking care of land for eternity is a real commitment of time and energy. Your purchase helps to protect the land and supports restoration and land maintenance. See our current Schedule of Rates.
Pre-need purchasing
The Right of Interment (the right to be buried here) for full body and cremated remains can be purchased at any time during your life or at the time of death. A pre-need purchase ensures your burial choices are made with consideration and care, and that those choices are honoured. Pre-need purchases are less stressful for your grieving friends and family at the time of death because the decisions have already been made by you. The more you can prepare for your own dying and death, the easier it is for those who love and care for you.
Individual Rights of Interment can be purchased, or multiple ones for couples or families. All individuals will receive a Right of Interment Certificate that they can keep with their will or other legal documents.
Funerals & Cremation
Funerals and cremations can be arranged through Salt Spring's Funeral Director: Christie Doyle of Hayward's Funeral Home, or through your community's local Funeral Director.
Shrouds, Caskets, and Urns
Burial Shrouds
made by Sue Earle
Duck Creek Farm, Salt Spring Island, BC
bootsieis@gmail.com
Inspired by thinking of her own end-of-life desires after attending a friend's green burial, Sue started to explore what is available to wrap oneself in and ways to support the local economy to counter having to order from overseas. She created unbleached cotton and jute shrouds in dialogue with Cathy and Christie (Hayward's Funeral Services).
Sue is open to creating shrouds with custom textiles.
It is an honour to be a small part in an end-of-life choice.
Wicker Caskets and Trays
Tamara MacIntyre, Vancouver Island
https://www.consciousdeath.org/woven-coffins
Lionel Demandre
The Willow Web, Salt Spring Island, BC
https://willow-web.ca/
Urns
made by Brad Forster
BAM Woodworks, Salt Spring Island, BC bamwoodworks@shaw.ca
Working with wood and creating beautiful pieces brings me a lot of pleasure.
Our Cremation Urns are made in three styles and come in three different types of woods (Black Walnut, Cherry, and Hard Maple). They are constructed with box joints and come with a unique pivoting arm that opens the bottom requiring no screws. They are oiled and sanded to a silky-smooth finish.
Just a note to thank you so much for facilitating my brother David and his wife Jean's memorial service last Wednesday afternoon. You couldn't have been more helpful and kind, and I am very glad to have met you. It was such a privilege for all who attended to experience an outdoor memorial event amid such awesome natural beauty. Kudos to you and your partner Gavin for having the vision, courage and perseverance necessary to make this happen, when you must have had your hands very full just running your amazing farm. Well done!
With warmest regards, John (Stone)
The Gathering Place
The Gathering Place is a post and beam shed built from our timbers originally by Vincent Theriault, with additions and finishing by Dom Boudreau and Salty Builders (Sean Hart and Rebecca Grim). There is a wildlife lookout bathroom next to the Gathering Place.
This is a beautiful setting for outdoor services, ceremonies and celebrations. There is a fire pit and running water, but no electrical power. Bring your BlueTooth speaker and devices for music and videos.
FAQ
Yes, the land that holds the Cemetery and the farm is one property that has a “Certificate of Public Interest” on the Land Title. This certificate ensures the public’s interest in the Cemetery, including access, is protected in perpetuity.
We have an EV charger at the farmhouse. It is fixed to the split-rail fence next to the gate. You are welcome to use it.
Contact the Cemetery Manager, Catherine Valentine, anytime during your life and pre-purchase a burial plot, or have your family do it for you after your passing. For a full body or cremation burial plot you will be purchasing a Right of Interment. This is a form of real property that ensures your right to be buried (interred) in this cemetery.
Yes, we welcome everyone.
We can work with your local Funeral Director or they can speak with Haywards Funeral Home on Salt Spring to discuss transportation and preservation until the burial. Salt Spring is a spiritual place for many people and a memorable place to be buried.
Pre-purchasing a single or multiple graves (Right of Interments) will ensure that your wish to rest on Salt Spring Island eternally will come true.
Cemetery visiting hours are 9 am to 6 pm daily. Purchasing a Right of Interment gives you a stake in this land – the right to visit and eventually rest here eternally.
When there is a funeral, the grounds are closed to other visitors – usually for the whole day. You are welcome to email to enquire if access will be available on the day you would like to visit.
As a Conservation burial ground, we aim to leave the forest enriched from our human input. Once settled, graves are replanted with plants that are indigenous to the Coastal Douglas Fir Forest habitat. Let’s step lightly on the ground and leave only a trace through the carvings on the stones.
With approval from the Cemetery Manager, a family member is permitted to assist in planting. Plants are transplanted from elsewhere in the forest or can be purchased by family at a native plant nursery such as Fraser’s Thimble Farm on Salt Spring Island.
Cemetery Management will keep the memorial stones from being overgrown. Graves, however, will become increasingly covered by plants as time passes and the forest regenerates. Please do not weed your loved one’s grave. The creatures of the forest love ground cover.
To keep the human impact low in the forest, other than the memorial stone, no objects may be left on graves. Cut flowers are permissible at the time of the burial and other anniversaries. Objects left on graves will be removed.
Download our information document on Grave Plantings and Maintenance: Grave Planting and Maintenance
Download our information document on Memorial Stones: Memorial Stones
Cremated Remains are a source of nourishment for the forest, and purchasing a Right of Interment will help to protect this land in perpetuity from development.
Cremated Remains can either be buried in a container, such as a wooden urn, woven basket or cloth sack; they can be poured directly into the grave, or scattered at the base of a tree or into a stump.
Salt Spring Island Natural Cemetery is the cemetery providing the burial site. We are not Funeral Directors but we work with them and the family to create a unique funeral for every person.
Christie Doyle of Haywards Funeral Home is the very kind and helpful local Funeral Director. We highly recommend her. There are also a number of celebrants and Home Funeral Support Services on Salt Spring Island and in most communities.
Download our information document on Funeral Gatherings: Funeral Gatherings
This land is ideal for a cemetery because it is sloping with rocky soil, has a deep water-table and no surface water. This has been confirmed through a Geotech report and other government reviews.
The burying of bodies will provide compost to the growing trees of this forest memorial cemetery.
In B.C. the government calls a Cemetery a “Place of Interment”. Once land is designated a Place of Interment it is thus in perpetuity (for all time). It is the only land-use that is unchangeable or in perpetuity.
The Salt Spring Island Natural Cemetery is protected by the Certificate of Public Interest that is on the property title. A Perpetual Care Fund is established with Concentra Trust company to which twenty-five percent of all fees go for the long term care and maintenance of the grounds.
We have a covenant (a promise in contract and action) with every purchaser of a grave that this land will be protected as a forest burial in perpetuity. That is hundreds of contracts. What could be a stronger covenant than that?
Contact Information
Call the Cemetery Office: 250-653-9884 or fill out the following form to book a time for a telephone conversation.
Address: 2100 Fulford-Ganges Road, Salt Spring Island, B.C., V8K 1Z7
Catherine Valentine, Cemetery Manager
cathy@saltspringcemetery.ca
Gavin Johnston, Forest Manager
gavin@saltspringcemetery.ca
Hours of Operation:
The Natural Cemetery Grounds are open to the public every day from 9 am to 6 pm unless there is a burial.
The Cemetery office is open and tours are available Monday to Friday 10 am to 4:30 pm by appointment.
Funerals may be held Monday to Friday, either in the morning or early afternoon; Saturday full burials as needed. There are no events on Sundays.