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The Ancestors
Standing slightly over 2.5 metres high, these cedar figures announce the main entrance to the Denman Island Natural Burial Cemetery. The Ancestors were created by local sculptor Michael Dennis to represent those who predecease us. They welcome all of us as we follow them....
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Memorial Walls
Small bronze plaques mounted on two curved memorial walls name those buried in the Cemetery, replacing the tombstones and other kinds of markers placed on graves in a conventional cemetery and allowing the land used for burials to revert back to its natural state. Because there...
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The Main Entrance Gate
Square-cut fir beams and a peaked roof give the covered gate at the main entrance a distinctly west coast flavour. The structure announces the Cemetery, welcoming visitors and offering seating for about ten people. Providing the only cover in the Cemetery, the gate, measuring 3...
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"Caring for the Community and the Environment"
Our cemetery is the first contemporary cemetery in Canada that is exclusively green.
Who We Are
The Denman Island Memorial Society was formed in 2009 to create and operate a natural burial cemetery on Denman Island, British Columbia, Canada. For the following six years, the Board of Directors worked with the community to create the Denman Island Natural Burial Cemetery.
Natural Burial
Natural burial is the return of a body to the earth as simply as possible. Sometimes called ‘ecological burial’ or ‘green burial,’ it combines eco-friendly interment with land conservation.
– The Underlying Philosophy
– Whole Body Burial
– Cremated Remains
– Memorialization
– Land Management
– Advice for Other Communities
Cemetery Services
We provide services related to the burial of human and cremated remains and the scattering of cremated remains, while following the principles of natural burial.
– Overview of Services
– Burial Rights
– Interment
– Scattering
– Memorial Plaques
– Fees
– Frequently Asked Questions
– What to do when someone dies
Realizing The Dream
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In the beginning, the land was recovering from clearcutting in 2000.
Heidi presents the results of break-out groups at the first design workshop.
Doreen and Peter rake the ground following removal of the trees in summer, 2013.
The ancient stumps among the graves are from trees cut before 1996.
An information kiosk at the entrance welcomes visitors and explains green burial.
The main gate was designed by Etienne de Villiers and built by David Scruton and John...
The gate serves as a covered place for people to gather before a burial.
Designed by Etienne de Villiers, the memorial walls extend far into the ground.
It was a big day, when the truck arrived from Courtenay to pour the concrete.
The Gathering Place is a pleasant spot to sit and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Dave scoops up the gravel and fills Dennis’s wheelbarrow.
Angela, Keith, Graham and Stirling smooth the ground outside the walls.
The north gate mimics the gate at the main entrance and leads into Alder Trail.
Volunteers debate where to place the sword ferns and Oregon grape.
Lori and John remove shrubbery along paths in the Scattering Area.
Gloria was one of the team of volunteers who battled the thistles.
Lori and John Dillon guide John Mather as he positions the big rock.
Gloria and Lori use duct tape to try out the sample bronze plaque.
Jennifer entertains the audience at the celebration on Oct 11, 2015.
Doreen cuts the ribbon, officially opening the new green cemetery.
Stephanie explains green burial, shortly before the Cemetery opening.
The Cemetery is operated by the Denman Island Memorial Society, and is intended for residents and landowners of Denman Island, present and past, and their immediate family members. Click here for the Cemetery story.