Green Burial BC: Natural Burial Options and Laws in British Columbia

Most people assume natural burial is a fringe option — something available only in rural communes or across the border in the Pacific Northwest. In British Columbia, that assumption is wrong. Green burial is a fully legal, regulated disposition option, and the province has several certified natural burial grounds. But the regulations around how remains must be handled, transported, and interred are specific enough that families who go in unprepared can run into serious logistical problems.

This covers what green and natural burial actually means under BC law, where it's available, what it costs compared to conventional burial, and the rules you need to know before you commit to this path for yourself or a loved one.

What "Green Burial" Means Under BC Law

British Columbia regulates all cemeteries and burial grounds under the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (CIFSA), overseen by Consumer Protection BC. There's no separate statute for "green burial" — natural burial is simply a form of ground interment that takes place in a designated area within a licensed cemetery that has been approved for natural disposition.

The defining features of a green or natural burial in BC:

• The body is not embalmed (embalming is never legally required in BC)
• The body is placed in a biodegradable container — typically a shroud, wicker casket, or untreated wood container
• No concrete vault or liner is used in the ground
• The grave may be unmarked or marked with a natural stone or native plantings instead of a conventional headstone

Consumer Protection BC must license any cemetery operating in the province. Within a licensed cemetery, a specific section can be designated for natural burial. Not all cemeteries in BC have a natural burial section — the list is relatively short and concentrated in certain regions.

Natural Burial Cemeteries in BC

As of 2026, the best-known natural burial options in British Columbia include:

Bowen Island Cemetery (Bowen Island) — The cemetery on Bowen Island has offered a natural burial section. It serves the Howe Sound area and is accessible via ferry from Horseshoe Bay.

Denman Island Cemetery (Denman Island) — A small community cemetery that has offered natural burial options for island residents. Remote access limits its practicality for mainland families.

Mountainview Cemetery (Vancouver) — The City of Vancouver's public cemetery has expanded its green burial section. This is the most accessible natural burial option for Greater Vancouver residents.

Capilano View Cemetery (West Vancouver) — Has offered natural burial sections within its grounds.

Kamloops Cemetery — Has offered designated natural burial sections.

Availability changes. Before making any commitment, contact the cemetery directly to confirm whether their natural burial section is currently accepting plots and what the specific requirements are for containers, embalming status, and documentation.

What BC Law Requires for Natural Burial

Embalming

Embalming is not legally required in British Columbia under any circumstances. Even for transport, even for public visitation, even for natural burial — provincial law does not mandate it. Funeral directors may suggest it; they cannot legally compel you to accept it.

The one caveat: unembalmed remains must be placed in refrigeration within 24 hours of receipt by a funeral provider. This is a consumer protection regulation, not a health emergency — but it does mean the timeline for arranging a natural burial moves quickly once a funeral home or transfer service takes custody.

Container Requirements

For natural burial, the container must be biodegradable. BC funeral regulations do not mandate a specific list of approved materials, but industry standard includes:

• Linen, cotton, or wool shrouds
• Wicker or willow baskets
• Untreated pine or poplar caskets with no metal hardware

Cremation containers have more specific rules (no zinc, no fibreglass). For whole-body natural burial, the restriction is simply that the cemetery's natural burial section rules apply — and those rules typically prohibit anything synthetic that won't decompose.

The Authorizing Agent

Before a cemetery can receive a body for burial — natural or otherwise — the funeral home or family must provide authorization from the legally designated authorizing agent. Under Section 5 of CIFSA, the hierarchy is:

1. The executor named in the will
2. The spouse
3. Adult children (eldest takes precedence if there's disagreement)
4. And so on down a priority list

Funeral providers cannot accept remains or begin the burial process without a signed authorization from the highest-ranking available person on this list. If multiple people at the same rank disagree on whether to pursue natural burial versus conventional burial, BC law gives the tie-breaking vote to the eldest among them — unless a Supreme Court order says otherwise.

The Mandatory 48-Hour Wait for Cremation (Natural Burial Is Different)

If the family chooses cremation followed by ash interment in a memorial garden, BC law requires a mandatory 48-hour waiting period after the time of death before cremation can proceed. Natural whole-body burial does not have this same 48-hour wait — but the death must be registered and a Disposition Permit issued before burial can take place.

Private Land Burial: Can You Be Buried on Your Own Property in BC?

The short answer is: it is illegal to bury a whole human body on private property in BC unless that land is designated as a cemetery.

Under CIFSA and the Cemetery Act, all interments of human remains must occur in a licensed cemetery. There is no exception for rural properties, farms, or "family plots" that haven't been formally designated.

If a family wants to establish a private burial ground on their land, they must apply to Consumer Protection BC for a Certificate of Public Interest (CPI). This designation is granted in limited circumstances, costs between $1,552 and $1,645 in application fees, and results in a permanent legal encumbrance registered against the property title — meaning the land can never be developed in a way that disturbs the burial site. This is a significant undertaking, not a casual workaround.

For families with deep roots in a remote area who genuinely want a family burial ground, the CPI process exists. For most people, a natural burial section in a licensed cemetery is the more realistic path.

Home Funerals and Private Transfer

A home funeral — where the family cares for the body themselves without involving a funeral home — is fully legal in BC. Families can wash and dress the body, hold a home vigil, and build their own casket. What they cannot do without a permit is transport the body on public roads.

If the family wants to transport the deceased from home to a natural burial cemetery themselves, they must obtain a Private Transfer Permit from Consumer Protection BC. This permit:

• Is completely free
• Can be applied for online or by phone
• Is typically issued quickly

The family must use an appropriate vehicle (a van with the rear seats removed works; a visible body in transit does not), a rigid and leak-proof container, and must keep the body out of public view during transport. If the deceased died in a remote or island location, special logistics may apply and Consumer Protection BC should be consulted.

Cost Comparison: Natural Burial vs. Conventional Options

Natural burial is generally less expensive than a conventional burial, primarily because it eliminates several costly elements:

The savings are real, but natural burial plots at certified cemeteries in BC are not unlimited — demand has grown, and waiting lists exist at some locations. If you're planning ahead for yourself, securing a plot early is worthwhile.

Death Registration and Documentation

Whether you choose natural burial or any other form of disposition, the death must be registered with the BC Vital Statistics Agency. The attending physician or coroner provides a Medical Certificate of Death. The funeral director (or the family, if doing a home funeral with a private transfer) files the Registration of Death with Vital Statistics.

Once registered, a Disposition Permit is issued, which the cemetery requires before burial can proceed. Order at least two to three original Death Certificates from Vital Statistics ($27 each) — you'll need them to close bank accounts, apply for benefits, and handle any probate matters.

If the deceased left an estate with real property or significant financial accounts, a Wills Notice Search through BC Vital Statistics is required before applying for a Grant of Probate. That search ($20 base fee plus $1.50 portal fee) can take up to 20 business days to return — plan around that timeline when coordinating the burial.

The Consumer Rights Angle

Regardless of what type of burial you choose, BC law requires funeral providers to give you an itemized price list upon request, before you sign anything. Under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act, you cannot be bundled into packages that include services you don't want.

For natural burial families, this matters: a funeral home involved in transport and registration cannot force you to purchase embalming, a conventional casket, or a concrete vault. If a provider insists these are required, that's a misrepresentation of provincial law, and you can file a complaint with Consumer Protection BC.

If you're navigating the full legal landscape of a death in BC — from who has legal authority to make decisions, to the documents needed, to your rights with funeral providers — the British Columbia Funeral Laws & Consumer Rights Guide covers the step-by-step process with the checklists and scripts families need to avoid costly mistakes.

See more British Columbia guides →