COOPERATIVE MEMORIAL SOCIETY
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What is green burial?

According to the Green Burial Council, green or natural burial is a way of caring for the deceased with minimal environmental impact. Generally, the body is prepared without chemical preservatives or disinfectants such as embalming fluid that may destroy the microbial decomposers active in breaking the body down. The body is usually buried in a biodegradable coffin, casket, or shroud. The grave does not use a burial vault or outer burial container that prohibits the body's contact with soil. The grave should be dug to a depth shallow enough to allow microbial activity similar to that found in composting. Natural burials must take place in a cemetery that will accommodate the vault-free technique. 
While there has not yet been a cemetery in Calgary that has been designated “true” green, there has been discussion about the possibility of one being started. Our service provider McInnis and Holloway are able to provide a casket that does meet green requirements and can be used for either burial or cremation.

Memorialization options

A natural burial ground will utilize natural memorialization techniques such as planting trees, shrubs, and flowers on or near the grave to establish a living memorial and help create habitat. Irrigation, pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers may be significantly reduced or eliminated altogether, in favour of non-toxic and less resource-dependent vegetation support and control.
​A COMFORTING SYMBOL OF LIFE…
For our service provider McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes and the families in Calgary a tree represents quiet strength, beauty, longevity, and peacefulness – an ideal memorial to a person’s life. McInnis & Holloway’s Memorial Forests® program allows McInnis & Holloway Funeral Home to give back to the community, by enhancing the growth of parks in the Calgary area. Families are encouraged to come to one of the Memorial Forests®, and enjoy the protected haven they provide.

A LIVING TRIBUTE
The Memorial Forest®
The Memorial Forests® program offers a special way of memorializing a person who has died and provides families with a meaningful way to deal with a loss. McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes makes every attempt to find appropriate and lasting ways for loved ones to be remembered. In this case, a tree planted will remain a living memorial for families and friends to return to year after year.
Cooperative Memorial Society
Suite 204A, 223-12 Avenue S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2R 0G9
403-248-2044  Toll free: 1-800-566-9959
admin@calgarymemorial.com

​
  • Home
  • About
    • Meet our Board
    • Our Bylaws >
      • Bylaw changes
    • Annual Meeting
    • History
    • Presentations
    • We're a co-op >
      • Funeral co-ops
    • Memorial societies
    • Legislation >
      • Consumer protection
    • Giving back
    • Testimonials
  • Plans
    • Calgary, Airdrie and Cochrane 2020-22 >
      • Plan A-1 Funeral Service with Burial
      • Plan A-2 Funeral Service with Burial (Green Casket)
      • Plan B-1 Basic Cremation
      • Plan B-2 Basic Cremation with a Funeral Service
      • Plan B3 Basic Cremation with Visitation and Funeral Service (Rental Casket)
      • Plan C-1 10% discount on the casket, the first urn (full-size or keepsake) and professional service fees
      • Additional Costs to CCMS Plans
    • Lethbridge area 2020-2022
    • Medicine Hat area 2021-2023
    • Taber area 2021-2023
  • Membership
    • Sign up here
    • Purchase by mail
    • Privacy policy
    • Terms & conditions
    • Member forms >
      • Print member card
  • Login
    • Member Login
    • Service provider sign in
  • Education
    • Newsletter
    • Final Arrangements
    • Family-Led Deathcare
    • Grieving Together
    • Permits and Registration of Death
    • Cemeteries >
      • Calgary and area cemeteries
      • Medicine Hat, Lethbridge & Taber
    • Anatomical Gifting
    • Organ donation
    • Cremation >
      • Effect of cremation on environment
    • Green burials
    • Medical Isotopes
    • Useful links
    • Financial Decision Making
    • Getting Finances in Order
    • Education Programs in the Community
    • Services for Seniors
  • Contact us
    • ​Troubleshoot: Why you are not receiving our emails