AWAKE is now available at Nova Scotia’s newest natural burial site
Louisa Horne and Ray Mattholie, volunteers leading the natural burial site in French Village, NS (Richard Cuthbertson, CBC)
AWAKE is excited to announce our partnership with Canada’s newest natural burial ground in French Village, Nova Scotia. The natural burial site will offer full-body green burials and eco-friendly cremation interments with AWAKE’s patented planting kits.
A place for families
Volunteers have been working hard to turn 11 hectares of forest behind a 200-year-old church into a family-friendly cemetery. In a recent CBC article, author Richard Cuthbertson shares that, “cemeteries don't need to be places that people avoid, but can instead be destinations for a day out, where families can bathe in the sunlight…and children can play and explore.”
A Conservation Forest
Also exciting is the team’s plan for conservation status—ensuring that the memorial forest, just 40 minutes from Halifax, will remain protected and be sustainable for the future.
So far, volunteers have cleared two kilometres of walking trails, and retired scientists have examined and documented the site’s plant life and bird species.
Cremation Burials
Over 83% of Nova Scotians decide on cremation at end-of-life, up from 62.4% in 2010 according to a study by the Cremation Association of North America. With so many choosing cremation for final disposition, the team wanted to give families a green burial option. After meeting with many conservation forests, including New Hampshire’s Life Forest, their vision became clear.
AWAKE is thrilled to be helping volunteers launch Canada’s newest natural burial site, at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Nova Scotia.
What is AWAKE
AWAKE is Canada’s first green burial service for cremation and aquamation. We founded AWAKE with science and soul, so Canadians can leave the earth better. Our planting kits and ceremony services are available to families and cemeteries Canada-wide.