Natural (or green) burial is a form of burial that celebrates simplicity, stewardship, and reciprocity. It is a more sustainable approach to disposition than many of our contemporary choices.
Natural burial honours the circle of life and death as our bodies become one with the earth. This serves as a reminder that the ending of one can feed a sustainable future for others. It offers a meaningful choice, protects land, promotes biodiversity, and invites us into a deeper relationship with the natural world.
Conservation Burial Ottawa is a group of passionate advocates hard at work to bring natural burial to Ottawa.
Our Purpose
Sustaining Human Connection
Weaving people together with rituals to honour grief and celebrate the lives lived, recognizing diverse spiritual, religious, and secular beliefs.
Honouring Ecology
Reducing environmental impacts of cremation and conventional cemetery practices (steel/plastic caskets, concrete vaults, embalming, manicured lawns) by using organic materials and green memorials.
Conservation of Land
Protecting green space and endangered habitats through sustainable burial practices, creating sanctuary for all.
A Last Meaningful Act
Choosing to care for the earth by returning the gift of nourishment in death.
What We Can Do
- Partner with an existing team to repurpose and restore space within an established cemetery
- Partner with an existing team to create a hybrid space within an established cemetery
- Create a new stand-alone cemetery
How You Can Help
To bring this vision to life, we’re looking for individuals and partners who can help us take the next steps. If you have experience, resources, or connections in any of the following areas, we’d love to hear from you.
- Leadership to guide us through obtaining non-profit and charitable status
- Legal expertise
- Land donation opportunities
- Survey design and administration
- Accounting and financial expertise
- Fundraising or financial support
- Connections with environmental, conservation, governmental, or political organizations
- Volunteers for emerging projects and events
Join us and together we will create earth-friendly options in our community – across the lifespan!
Cemeteries of Ottawa
Conservation Burial Ottawa has identified many existing cemetery-zoned areas within city boundaries. To date these include:
- 16 cemeteries owned by the City of Ottawa
- 80 cemeteries owned by religious communities or businesses. Some of these are family-owned and others are owned by multinational corporations
Community Deathcare Ottawa 