In ground casket burials are losing popularity and the Prince George Memorial Park Cemetery is expanding its green burials section.
According to a report from Sean LeBrun, Manager, Parks and Solid Waste Services, the once common method of burying full caskets in ground plots has been on a steady decline since the late 1990s.
“As the practice of cremation continues to trend upwards, it is important that the City of Prince George examines the interment services offered at Memorial Park Cemetery for cremated remains. In 2018, a number of additional interment options were added by Cemetery staff in an effort to provide families the opportunity to memorialize loved ones at Memorial Park, whose cremains may otherwise be scattered illegally or even retained at home,” said Lebrun.
Lebrun said a green burial involves a biodegradable casket or shroud and would be absent of markers and memorials.
“It’s just let go and the area returns to its natural grass and tree vegetative state. Really what it is is an option to inter both cremated remains and full body interments in a natural environmental state with no chemicals, no metals, no nothing.”
Council voted to approve a list of amendments to the City Cemetery Bylaw at their meeting last night (Mon), which can be found here.