An official opening ceremony for the new green burial section of St. Stephen’s Cemetery was held this past Sunday (May 31).
Algonquin Highlands mayor Liz Danielsen said, “this is the first site of its kind in the County of Haliburton, and the township is pleased to be able to offer this form of burial to those seeking an environmentallysustainable alternative to traditional methods.”
A green burial is a method of laying a body to rest that strives to be as environmentally-gentle as possible. The body is placed directly into the earth in a biodegradable casket, without embalming fluids or synthetic materials. Burials are available year-round.
The project has been about seven years in the making, and Danielsen thanked the Haliburton Highlands Green Burial Society (HHGBS), the Algonquin Highlands green burial ad hoc committee, township staff, and community partners, “who have helped make this vision a reality.”
President of the HHGBS, Terry Moore, said, “to make this happen required a huge amount of energy and support on the part of AH councillors and staff, as well as the membership of the HHGBS.”
He first approached Algonquin Highlands council about the idea after the death of his son, Kyle, and his wife, Shirley, was the first person to be buried in the section.
Moore added, “today we celebrate the achievement of this wonderful, collective, first step in end-of-life practices in our own little piece of paradise. There’s so much more work to be done and we’re just getting started.”
Following speeches, Carolyn Langdon of the Haliburton County Master Gardeners planted a mountain ash tree between large stones, donated by Keith Thomas of Francis Thomas Contracting, and prepared by Darren Johnson of Haliburton Rock Quarry. Langdon was assisted by Moore’s grandchildren, Avreya and Kyle MooreWodham. Students of the Haliburton School of Art + Design constructed the gazebo under the direction of Glenn Diezel of Diezel Woodworks.
End-of-life doula, Adriane Weller, brought the afternoon’s proceedings to a close. St. Stephen’s Cemetery is located at 2072 Buckslide Rd.
