The City Council is pleased to provide the community with the choice 'Green Burial' as well as traditional burial. This will be offered, within Section 'H' of the Canterbury City Cemetery. People feeling that, finally, they may like to Return to Nature and contribute to the well being of our environment are welcome to visit this area of the cemetery. Trees planted here are available to Dedicate to their Memory as are the other varied species of Trees in the Cemetery. Read on as to how the scheme is operated . . .
Green burial is designed to sensitively lay to rest someone in an ecologically friendly way.
This is carried out with the least detrimental effect on the environment. The use of embalming fluid is discouraged and the grave is prepared to the maximum available depth which means land is saved. The grave can be prepared by hand if preferred which means that no petro chemicals are used to contaminate the atmosphere. The treatment of the grave s surface will provide a habitat for flora, fauna, insects and mammals. The remaining space in unpurchased graves will be used for Green Burial and will be prepared to the maximum available depth, thus using the land ecologically.