What are green burials?

A green burial minimizes the impact on our environment. By returning a body to the earth it can decompose naturally and contribute to the growth of new life. For many, this concept combines the spiritual integrity of the past, with the environmental ideas of the present. Lethbridge is proud to offer Grasslands Green Burial Grounds within the Royal View Memorial Cemetery.

The Principles of a Green Burial

No embalming

Green burials are completed without the use of embalming fluid, allowing nature to take over. Decomposition is thought to be nature’s way of recycling a body. We take energy throughout our lives; when we die a green burial allows us to give energy back to the earth. Using natural products, the human remains can still be properly prepared and dressed for a dignified viewing.

Direct to Earth Burial

The remains are wrapped in a natural and biodegradable cloth and placed directly in the ground. You may also use a container or casket made of sustainable and fully biodegradable materials.

Ecological Restoration and Conservation

The City of Lethbridge’s Grasslands Green Burial Garden is specifically developed to use the natural landscape of the prairies. This means indigenous prairie grasses are used to seed the grave-site. It is also encouraged that visitors remain on the designated walking paths to leave the grounds protected and undisturbed.

Communal Memorialization

The philosophy of the Green Burial is that the entire Grasslands is a living memorial to the individuals buried there. Because of this, individual headstones are not allowed. Instead, a memorial will be placed in the green burial space where simple inscription can be made.

Optimize Land Use

Grasslands Green Burial Grounds is designed and developed to optimize the space designated for green burial. Minimal infrastructure, installation and ground disturbance took place to create Grasslands. This allows the space to remain as natural as possible.