As old age approaches, many of us think of how we want our mortal remains dealt with after our (inevitable) death. Most Ontario people consider cremation, but the environmental costs of that procedure are high – a large quantity of fossil fuel is consumed (enough to drive a car for approximately 800 kms.) and carbon dioxide is released. Pollution increases with any prosthetics such as hip or knee replacements.
A standard burial calls for embalming, a process that replaces the body’s fluids with formaldehyde, a toxic and carcinogenic substance.
An alternative is a “natural” or “green” burial wherein the body is placed in the ground in a simple biodegradable casket or shroud. The burial area is allowed to return to its natural state, with grasses and wildflowers creating a park-like environment.
Unfortunately this option is not available on the peninsula.
There will be a survey conducted in the near future to see how much interest there is on the Saugeen/Bruce Peninsula for the development of a natural burial site.
For more information on this natural process visit https://naturalburialassociation.ca/
Stay tuned.
Stuart Burgess,
Lion’s Head
