Memorial Benches and Trees
rest. These gardens should be located with consideration to having access to privacy, and seating areas.
The Town should consider expanding its program for memorial benches and trees, further enriching the options available for those seeking an enduring tribute. Tree varieties should be offered in accordance with the Oxford County Managed Forest Plan, 2018 – 2027 as discussed previously, and memorial benches should include accessible options. Additional options can include larger items like gazebos or other shade structures.
Green/Natural Burials Green or natural burials are another
popular alternative to traditional burials and cremation. In a natural burial, the body is placed in a wood or wicker casket, or wrapped in a shroud, and buried in a natural setting like a forest or meadow. The Green Burial Society of Canada outlines the five principles of green burial: 1. No Embalming 2. Direct Earth Burial 3. Ecological Restoration & Conservation
Visiting the Cemetery
In other municipalities, historic and mature cemeteries like both of Tillsonburg’s cemeteries have constituted an important part of the green space system, particularly in dense/land-limited municipalities. For example, both Meadowvale Cemetery in Brampton, and Streetsville Memorial in Mississauga, include walking paths and nature-observation areas together with more formal gardens, encouraging people to visit and spend time on the grounds. Picturesque cemeteries have increasingly been used for wedding photos, and even wedding ceremonies. The Williamsburg Cemetery in Kitchener, for example, also includes a chapel that can be rented for weddings. The City planned the development of the cemetery with this goal in mind and markets the rentals on a variety of wedding sites:
4. Simple Memorialization 5. Optimized Land Use 2
Green/natural burials are better for the environment, and are typically more affordable than traditional burials. The Town should consider assigning an undeveloped area of the cemetery as a green burial area, and certifying it through the Green Burial Society of Canada.
2 https://greenburialcanada.ca/the-five-principles/
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Town of Tillsonburg | DRAFT Parks and Recreation Master Plan
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