We’re used to seeing conventional cemeteries where caskets are buried and loved ones gather around gravestones. Indeed, traditional gravestones are commonly used to commemorate the life of the deceased.
However, you should know that there are alternatives for those who wish to have a burial without a gravestone. Natural cemeteries, for instance, provide a unique and peaceful final resting place, while contributing to the conservation of nature.
Burials and gravestones (granite gravestones, for example) have long stood as focal features in memorializing those who have passed. They do, however, raise genuine concerns, including:
And not to mention the burial costs in conventional cemeteries.
To determine the burial costs in a conventional cemetery, you have to consider the interment cost, the casket and the gravestone. It can really add up.
For example, in Quebec, gravestone prices range from $500 to $3,000+ depending on the type of stone, engravings and embellishments. To be buried in a cemetery, you have to purchase (or lease) a plot. Standard plots can cost anything from $1,000 to $3,000. You can even choose a “double-depth” plot, where prices can reach up to $6,000. As for the casket, average models sell for around $1,500. So the total, just for the burial, can add up to well over $7,000.
If you’re interested in taking a less costly and more eco-friendly route for your prearrangements or those of a loved one, alternatives do exist. Cremation, for instance, is a greener solution than interment. In fact, it pollutes three times less than traditional burials. Similarly, aquamation–also referred to as water cremation–is also gaining in popularity. While cremation releases 160 kg of CO2 into the atmosphere, water cremation releases only 1 kg (source Radio-Canada).
There also exists a variety of funeral monuments that don’t weigh as heavily on the environment as traditional gravestones. Here are a few examples:
Our natural cemetery gives you the freedom to choose traditional gravestones, while offering several greener alternatives.
Although earth-friendly urns significantly reduce the environmental impact of funeral services, we do accept all types of urns.
Our priority is to provide personalized services to ensure your full satisfaction.
The funeral services industry is undergoing noticeable changes which are partly a result of the aging population. There’s limited interment space available in traditional cemeteries, especially in urban centres. This is a growing concern in Ontario, for instance, where some cemeteries are expected to run out of space within the next ten years (source Radio-Canada).
In Quebec, the evolving religious landscape is also affecting the funeral services industry. Families now have a wide range of options to pay tribute to their lost loved ones. Case in point, cremation is now the most popular option among Quebeckers.
While it’s a greener alternative to interment, cremation is not perfectly earth-friendly when the urn is buried in a conventional cemetery plot using a gravestone. If this issue strikes home with you, read our article Options for eco-friendlier funeral arrangements to learn more about environmentally friendly funerals.
In natural cemeteries, nature is preserved. You won’t see endless rows of funeral monuments spread over a barren piece of land. While urns can be buried, they take up much less space.
It’s the perfect place for families and friends to gather while enjoying nature’s beautiful scenery.
Je veux vous remercier, vous d’abord Monsieur Tittel, pour votre belle écoute et votre disponibilité lors du décès de mon mari Aurélien Boisvert. Votre approche est humaine et réconfortante. Également, je veux souligner le travail impeccable accompli par le directeur qui a officialisé ou plutôt dirigé la cérémonie à l’église et au cimetière. Il avait toujours le souci et la délicatesse d’aller selon le désir de la famille. Et à la toute fin il a adressé la parole comme si c’était le défunt qui énonçait ses dernières volontés.
Tous étaient unanimes, c’était spécial, unique et touchant. Il est vraiment dans sa profession. Merci de lui transmettre notre gratitude et notre satisfaction.
Émilienne B. Boisvert
Merci beaucoup Monsieur Tittel, vos services nous enlèvent un poids sur nos épaules.
Manon Laroque
Je souhaite vous remercier de ma part et de toute ma famille pour nous avoir soutenu tout au long du processus. Depuis la crémation jusqu’au funérailles et malgré les petits pépins qu’on a rencontré. La cérémonie avec Mme Prénovost a été à la hauteur de nos attentes. Merci encore pour votre dévouement, nous l’avons tous apprécié.
Danielle Daoust
Je prends quelques minutes pour vous écrire et vous remercier de la collaboration de tout le personnel de Magnus Poirier, Les Sentiers lors des funérailles de Mme Rita Brisson Paquette.
Nous avons eu beaucoup de félicitations concernant la célébrante, la chanteuse, l’endroit choisi pour célébrer ces funérailles et le service impeccable lors du petit goûter, etc. Bref ce fut un succès sur toute la ligne grâce à vous tous.
Andrée et Gilles Brisson
Un très gros merci à toute l’équipe! En particulier pour celles qui nous ont accompagnés toute la journée. Tout s’est déroulé à merveille grâce à leur aide. Les invités ont absolument adoré l’endroit. Ce fut une très belle journée dans les circonstances. Ma mère aurait été très contente de la cérémonie et de cette journée.
Félix Morency-Lavoie