St. Albert has opened the door on allowing green burials.
A motion was unanimously passed during City Council’s July 2nd meeting directing administration to amend the Cemetary Bylaw, allowing for green burials in the St. Albert Municipal Cemetery without needing the approval of the Green Burial Society of Canada (GBSC).
In a green burial, the embalmed body is usually wrapped in a shroud made from biodegradable fibres and placed directly into the grave. Sometimes, a biodegradable casket is made and buried in the standard burial fashion.
Despite the bylaw not needing to be approved by the GBSC, the city would look at GBSC materials and guidelines to properly convert some of the gravesites. The estimated cost of applying for a marker to be certified by the GBSC is around $20,000.
The area set aside at the cemetery for a possible green burial site is approximately 775 square metres.
