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Don't mind sharing?
What about about sharing your grave.
On Tuesday, Oct. 22, Vancouver City Hall approved a motion that would allow Mountain View Cemetery to strengthen it's sustainable burial practices.
What are "sustainable burial practices"?
As Vancouver’s only cemetery, Mountain View offers precious real estate for our dearly departed. With this in mind, having more than one person in a grave is the most effective use of land resources. Further, Mountain View accommodates the use of biodegradable materials to cover or hold the body.
While Mountain View Cemetery has always allowed the re-use of grave space, the new amendments allow people who are not in the same family to share a grave. In addition, the new amendments allow the cemetery to determine new conditions and limits by which additional remains can be added to spaces within a shorter time frame; the previous by-law limited the number of caskets to two within a 40-year period.
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Vancouver Is Awesome spoke to Glen Hodges, Cemetery Manager, Mountain View Cemetery, who explained the inspiration behind the amendment, as well as
"We've looked to Royal Oak Burial Park on Vancouver Island for inspiration," he describes. "The green burial initiative in Victoria was really well-received by the community. They had one green burial section, and they ended up opening a second."
Hodges explains how Mountain View services a large population, and that the cemetery's land space is finite and defined. He adds that there are only a handful of cemeteries in the Lower Mainland, and, as a result, they are all facing the same issue.
"It is the same way that people struggle to find homes in Vancouver," he remarks. "Land is expensive and there isn't a lot of availability. We're trying to make use of limited capacity."
Now, up to three people can be stacked in a single grave. And while that idea may not sit well with everyone, it is drastically cheaper. In fact, an individual can expect to save over a whopping $10,000 by taking the share-route.
"They are cheaper. While they may still not be affordable for everyone, it certainly cuts the cost down," notes Hodges. "But that isn't why everyone wants it."
And just how close will people be?
Hodges can't say for certain - yet. The by-law changes will take effect as of January 1, 2020. However, he says that roughly eight to 12 inches of soil will likely be in between.
"People are also worried that strangers will be buried on top of their loved ones who are already in the cemetery," he says.
"That is illegal and it absolutely won't happen."
Hodges adds that people will still be able to get a traditional burial, but now they'll simply have more options. This has inspired individuals and families to give greater consideration to environmental impacts when considering disposition options for the deceased.
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Mountain View Cemetery is Vancouver’s only cemetery, owned and operated by the City of Vancouver since 1886. Making up 106 acres of land west of Fraser St, between 31st Ave and 43rd Ave, Mountain View Cemetery plays a vital role as a sacred space within Vancouver where people lay their loved ones to rest and honour the memory of their ancestors.
