Two possibilities for Ontario: hybrids and dedicated sites
Dedicated natural cemeteries are enveloped in the natural landscape. Some span a hundred acres, others are smaller, yet they are all nestled in nature in every direction. Dedicated sites aren’t attached to conventional cemeteries. There aren’t any dedicated natural burial grounds in Ontario yet (we’re working on it!).
Hybrids are natural areas developed within a conventional cemetery. Typically they are between one quarter of an acre to two acres. Below are some lovely hybrids that truly follow the tenets of natural burial, and here’s a map to find sites near you. (map)
Here are some questions you may want to ask the cemetery:
- Is winter burial offered
- What are the memorialization options (individual or communal marker, or GPS (Legally cemeteries must be able to find a grave, regardless of whether or not there’s a marker)
- What work is the cemetery undertaking to restore the land to its natural habitat
- Can the family participate in the lowering of a loved one, decorating the grave, and filling in the grave
- Costs, and incremental costs (eg, weekend burial, pallbearers, etc)
Hybrids
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Kingston+
Pine Grove Cemetery is located about half an hour north-east of downtown Kingston on Brewers Mills Road. It’s a lovely little area surrounded on two sides by forest, and it’s managed by the municipality of Kingston.
Visit Green Burial Kingston to learn more about this site and membership in this dynamic group. -
Picton+
In the middle of the picturesque town of Picton lies a cemetery that dates back to the 1870s. Within the cemetery grounds, Glenwood Cemetery created a final resting place among the trees. Names of the deceased are etched in bronze plaques attached to a large boulder. In this woodland burial site, attention is paid to leave the tree roots undisturbed. It’s very serene and natural. (Green Burial Society of Canada accreditation).
Unfortunately, Glenwood does not offer winter burial.
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Haliburton Highlands+
The Haliburton Highlands Green Burial Society (HHGBS) has tirelessly been advocating for green burial options within all four of the County’s Townships,, and they’ve succeeded! St. Stephen’s Anglican Church Cemetery in Algonquin Highlands is now open, offering burial year round.
Deer Lake Cemetery in Highlands East is also creating a natural section, without winter burial. Date of opening is TBD.
You can get in touch with HHGBS at [email protected] -
Guelph+
Nestled among mature trees and connected by a winding trail, Woodlawn’s natural burial section, called Taylor’s Meadow, offers a serene and sustainable wildflower meadow where we can gently return to nature. Both full-body and cremation burial options are available, and Woodlawn offers winter burial.
You can learn more and sign up for their e-news here.
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Cobourg+
Union Cemetery’s green burial section, which opened in 2012, is Ontario’s first modern day green burial. Behind the conventional cemetery lies a meadow overlooking Cobourg Creek. The managers of the site do all they can to minimize a carbon footprint, including digging the graves by hand. Dedicated land stewards, they also pull out any invasive species by hand. If cremated remains are at home waiting to be interred together with a loved one then they will accept those cremains, understanding that partners and families desire to rest together.
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Niagara Falls+
Willow’s Rest, offers 2 acres of natural habitat nestled at the back of Fairview Cemetery. Nearly two hundred new native trees create an enclosure for the beautiful wildflower meadow. A local artist carved a bench and sculpture from a fallen ash tree. There are several monarch butterfly pollinator gardens, as well as bee hives. An educational program invites school groups to help plant wildflowers and expose them to something natural in life: death. (Green Burial Society of Canada accreditation).
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Holstein+
In spring 2022, this quiet corner of Grey County opened a natural burial section at Holstein Cemetery. The inspiring addition to the historic cemetery was donated by a local farmer (whose family has been involved in Ontario agriculture for over 100 years!), motivated by his own wish to be buried naturally. Surrounded by grazing sheep and wide-open skies, the designated acre will be nestled in between the existing cemetery and bordering woodland. And guess who’s keeping the weeds at bay — the sheep! Brian Stevenson’s a great help and he can be reached at 519-323-7904.
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Roseneath+
At the turn of the century (!) a volunteer suggested the idea of a natural burial cemetery for the Roseneath community. “Everyone looked at me like I was crazy”, said the volunteer, who had grown up in the UK where his father was a grave digger. In 2014 St. James Cemetery lay the first person to rest in its natural area, a two-acre field donated by a local farmer, attached to St. James Cemetery (with tombstones dating back to the 1800s). In summer, waist high grasses, and wildflowers like poppies and forget me knots sway in the breeze. From the hilltop bench you can see for miles. Once a year the grass is cut to ward off invasive species, and sometimes that’s done with a scythe. Small flat markers modestly mark each grave. Families can participate in the filling of the grave.
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Hamilton+
Overseen by the municipality, Mt Hamilton Cemetery offers 840 square metres of natural burial. The grounds are planted with native flowers, grasses and trees returning the land to its natural ecosystem. Communal markers are used in place of individual markers. Ashes can be scattered in the scattering garden or buried in a biodegradable container. Bodies will be buried in a biodegradable container of your choice or wrapped in a shroud with a biodegradable backing board. The cemetery can be reached at 905 546-4704.
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Havelock (Peterborough, Hastings)+
Amid the century old maple and white pine, Maple Grove Cemetery created a natural burial area which opened in Fall 2023. Wildflower seeds were planting and are popping up!They hope to create a website, but in the meantime, if you call the township, Toll Free 1-877-767-2795, they can put you in touch with the cemetery operator.Maple Grove now offers winter burial. -
Ottawa Valley+
Green Burial Ottawa Valley, a co-op non-profit, has partnered with Locksley United Church Cemetery to create a natural section within this non-denominational cemetery. Reach out to GBOV if you’re interested in a plot in this gorgeous field that’s surrounded by red pines.
Visit greenburialottawavalley.ca and get in touch via voicemail at 613-757-3108 x 240 or by email at [email protected].
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Lakefield+
Lakefield cemetery is a not for profit, non-denominational cemetery that was started in 1865 by a group of local citizens. Half an acre has been set aside for a natural area — a pretty wildflower, grassy meadow. Beginning next spring 2026, families can select from a list of native tree species and have their loved ones cremated remains mixed with an amendment formula and planted near the sapling’s roots. Small locally sourced boulders are available for memorialization, or there’s a communal memorial wall.
Lakefield offers burial all year long, and if families wish, they can participate in filling in the grave.
Here’s Lakefield’s email, [email protected], and their website.
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Perth+
Elmwood Cemetery has a gap in the tree line at the back of the conventional cemetery, and this opens up to a lovely natural area. Winter burial is available, but with a surcharge.
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Baden, New Hamburg+
Steinmann Mennonite Church (SMC) has added a natural burial site as a part of their cemetery, to complement the standard lots and columbarium options. The goal of a natural burial is to minimize environmental impact; allowing one’s remains to decompose naturally and without the use of chemicals. Only biodegradable material is used in this site; however, SMC bylaws allow for medical implants. There is one communal memorial stone on which a person’s name and date are engraved on a plaque.
Winter burial is offered, pending weather.
SMC can be reached at (519) 634-8311.
Other Hybrids
Some cemeteries offer natural sections which follow some of the tenets of natural burial grounds, including the requirement for a biodegradable casket or shroud.
- Jordan has a 1/3 acre section within St. John’s Public Cemetery. While the grass is mowed and there isn’t an effort to bring back native species, this cemetery can make arrangements for families to dig the grave. This traditional ritual can be very meaningful. Families can also plant wildflowers. The natural section will be expanding.
- Brampton, Pickering offers 1/3 acre sections at Meadowvale Cemetery and Duffin Meadows, respectively. They are part of the Mount Pleasant Group chain.
- In Waterloo, Parkview Cemetery has created a small natural burial area, 3/4 acre, alongside the cemetery’s road. Unfortunately equipment which is stored alongside detracts from the sense of nature, but in the summer the wildflowers abound.
Sites in the works
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The Blue Mountains +
Led by the Climate Action Now Network of The Blue Mountains, council approved 7 – 0 the creation of a natural burial ground within the Thornbury Clarksburg Union Cemetery. Here’s an article that tells it all! The Review – June.
In 2025, before the snow falls, landscaping will begin. The wait shouldn’t be too much longer!
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Oro-Medonte, Simcoe - a dedicated site!+
Among the hills, farmland and forests of Simcoe County is a lovely 95-acre property with two fields and a forest. The meadow area, with gently rolling hills, has a spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. Over time, these fields will flourish with native wildflowers and grasses. The forest has a trail passing by some old trees way too big to hug. You might spot deer, grouse or the big but harmless fox snake.
The approval process is slow, but to learn more and sign-up for updates, visit Meadows Natural Burial Ground.
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Sarnia-Lambton +
Climate Action Sarnia-Lambton (CASL) is working hard to bring a natural burial ground to their community. You can reach CASL at [email protected].
Please sign-up for updates.
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Burlington +
Jenna Parascandalo advocated strongly for a natural burial ground in Hamilton. It’s a go, and now Jenna’s moved to Burlington, where she continues to champion the natural burial movement. You can reach out to her with any questions at [email protected].
Sign-up to lend your voice to the cause and get semi-annual updates.
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Kingsville - a dedicated site!+
Sue and Tom Omstead are excited to be working with the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary to explore development of a natural burial park on a 7 acre parcel of the Sanctuary’s lands.
For more than a century, the Sanctuary has sought to lead by example in preserving wildlife, restoring natural ecosystems, and fostering a deeper public understanding of humanity’s relationship with the natural world. Taking steps toward developing a natural burial park reflects that same mission—considering how land stewardship, ecological restoration, and end-of-life practices might thoughtfully align.
To support this vision, arrangements are underway to engineer the identified 7 acre site to meet hydrological and environmental requirements and to create an access road and laneways. The site design would prioritize ecological integrity, native vegetation, and long-term habitat value, while creating a quiet, respectful space consistent with the principles of natural burial. Any development would be carefully planned to ensure it complements the Sanctuary’s conservation goals and preserves the surrounding environment.
While the Sanctuary Board has not yet approved the complete natural burial cemetery project, we are very pleased that they are moving ahead step-by-step along that project path.
If you’re interested in a natural burial ground in Kingsville, please contact Sue and Tom at [email protected] and sign up for NBA’s updates.
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Bobcaygeon - a dedicated site!+
Carrie Hoskins has 180 acres of stunning forest of maple, oak, pine, cedar and spruce, and she’s in discussions with the Municipality of Trent Lakes, Curve Lake First Nations, Kawartha Land Trust, and Kawartha Conservation in the hopes that one day this can provide a final resting place where the forest will be conserved. To learn more, explore nogiesnaturalburial.com.
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Georgian Bluffs+
The municipality of Georgian Bluffs unanimously agreed to create a natural burial section in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. They also agreed to have to have the local advocacy group, Natural Burial for Grey Bruce, work with them in the process. 75 plots are proposed.The municipality has even hinted at the creation of a dedicated site (eg, not a hybrid which is attached to a conventional cemetery), down the road.
It’s amazing to have such an open-minded municipality, and kudos to the advocacy group that’s been at this for years. To stay in touch, follow Natural Burial for Grey Bruce on Facebook.
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Owen Sound +
Greenwood Cemetery has opened a 1/4 acre, but the location was poorly conceived. There’s word that they will be charging more for natural burial than conventional burial, their rationale being they are incorporating a garden, but the local group championing natural burial is thoroughly discouraged and started looking elswhere.
It’s amazing what a team of concerned citizens can do… The township of Georgian Bluff’s has agreed to look into a natural burial area at Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The advocates proposed a marvellous meadowed area alongside a forest. It’s stunning!
Sign-up for updates on the progress in Owen Sound, and to lend your voice to the chorus of support for natural burial grounds.
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Sault Ste Marie+
Clean North is one dynamic advocacy group! They’ve been pitching natural burial since 2023, and in early 2025 the City said it would look into a natural burial section within New Greenwood Cemetery. Congratulations Clean North!
Sign up for updates!
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Paisley+
The wheels are turning! Imagine a natural section adjoining the Paisley Cemetery . In September 2023, local advocate Sibylle Walke presented the idea to Council with other advocates there to show their support. It’s early days, but the response was positive for a natural cemetery which could be home to tall native grasses and pollinators.Please email Sibylle if you’d like to support her efforts.Sign up for our e-news and we’ll let you know when sites open.
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Muskoka+
A small but mighty group has formed to promote the idea of natural burial in Muskoka. In early 2025 they had their first meeting with the township, and it was positive. The idea will be presented to the Senior Leadership Team, and the advocacy group may be invited back to present to council.
Reach out if you’d like to connect with this group. Go Muskoka!
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Thunder Bay+
There’s a local advocacy group taking shape to bring a natural burial ground to Thunder Bay. That’s how they all start! Reach out if you’d like to connect with this group.
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Middlesex/Elgin/London+
Over the years we’ve received many emails from people keen on a natural burial ground in and around London, but up until now, there hasn’t been a local advocacy group keen to make noise! This could all change. Janice Dawe has offered to take a lead. Please reach out to Janice at [email protected] and let her know you’re keen to pitch in. NBA will provide the tools, we just need the people power.