The Commemorative Legacy Project
is the Green Burial initiative at O.U.R. ECOVILLAGE. We are offering people a natural, conservation space to scatter the cremated remains of their loved ones and commemorate their lives; providing the departed with a way to make their final wishes their legacy.
What are the Commemorative Conservation Scattering Grounds?
The Commemorative Conservation Grounds are located in our Woodland Conservation Sector, and are reserved for the scattering of cremated remains. The Commemorative Conservation Grounds are part of the Protect O.U.R. ECOVILLAGE Forever campaign with TLC, to protect the entire 25-acres of land and the activities of O.U.R. Ecovillage for generations to come.
Who is The Land Conservancy of BC?
Since 1997, TLC The Land Conservancy of BC has been saving special places throughout the province for today and future generations. As B.C.’s leading charitable land trust, TLC has protected more than 300 properties or 125,000 acres of fast disappearing natural areas, historic sites, farms and ranches, and places of community and recreational importance.
All gifts to the Protect O.U.R. ECOVILLAGE Forever campaign will be received by TLC and go towards the purchase of a conservation covenant to secure the unique land and values of the site. As the conservation partner, TLC is responsible for the protective covenant. TLC will issue charitable tax receipts to donors. For more information, please visit TLC’s website.
Why cremation?
With BC’s 80% cremation rate – one of the highest in the world – we are simply expanding on what has already become the provincial norm. While cremation is energy intensive and contributes to our carbon footprint, research conducted by Adelaide’s Centennial Park paints a more holistic picture of the environmental impacts of both cremation and conventional burial. The research considers resource consumption, air emissions, waste disposal and soil and groundwater contamination. The study found that 160 kilograms of carbon dioxide is produced on the day of a cremation, almost four times more than a burial. But over the long-term the maintenance of a grave site, such as watering and mowing, generates more carbon dioxide.
How is this option more environmentally friendly than conventional cremation?
In order to scatter cremated remains on our Commemorative Conservation Grounds, decedents are not to have been embalmed, or embalmed only with approved nontoxic chemicals*. In addition, cremation containers and urns are to be limited to those made from materials that are nontoxic/nonhazardous and natural/plant derived.
*cremated remains, which circumstances of cremation do not comply with these criteria may still be appropriate for scattering. Please contact us for more details.
Is this the right choice for me?
Making the choice to scatter cremation ashes on our Grounds to commemorate one’s life is an environmentally sustainable end of life option. Our Grounds provide a natural sanctuary for loved ones to rest and friends and family to visit.
How can I begin to plan my legacy?
Choosing to return to nature means choosing sustainable well being for the land, ourselves, and our worldwide village. Here’s how to make your final wishes become a lasting natural legacy for generations to come:
1. Complete an Application Package
Please contact us for an Application Package
2. Choose to contribute in the following ways
| Contribution | Offering | Description |
| Woodland Contribution | $5,000 + | Facility Use for End-of-Life ceremony, Recognition on Commemorative Conservation Plaque on Legacy Wall, 1 Orchard or Forest Tree planting |
| Orchard Contribution | $2,500 – $5,000 | Recognition on Commemorative Conservation Plaque on Legacy Wall, 1 Orchard or Forest Tree planting |
| Commemorative Contribution | $1,000 – $2,500 | 1 Orchard or Forest Tree (minimum donation to TLC for Scattering rights) |
Please Contact us to make your contribution, make a general bequest or to join our Monthly Donor Programme
Once your Application Form has been received by us and you have made a contribution to TLC, we will send you a certificate in the mail which states that you are officially registered with the Commemorative Conservation Grounds.
3. If you are making arrangements now, you may choose from the additional offerings
| Additional Offerings | ||
| Ceremony and Events | Honor loved ones with a sacred ceremony or end of life celebration | |
| Facility & Site Use | We have a variety of beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces for ceremony, gatherings and local food feasting. | |
| Accomodations | Choose from private or group space in our guesthouse, the Healing Sanctuary, Yurt or campground. | |
| Meal Services | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are available | |
| Event Catering | Locally grown organic foods prepared by our on-site culinary artists. | |
*Ask us about our Eco-friendly caskets and urns or how to purchase a legacy wall plaque
For more information on general Bequests, our Monthly Donor Program and all other inquiries please contact us at:
250.743.3067
Below, Brandy Gallagher talking about the Green Burial Initiative at O.U.R. Ecovillage for The Land Conservancy’s “Be the Change Campaign”.
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