A Vision for Gabriola
A Vision For Gabriola
A vision for Gabriola will ultimately be tied to the land we acquire, the wishes of the community and our financial resources. In our early discussions and information gathering phase, we looked at the natural cemetery models of Denman and Salt Spring Island. Board members visited both sites and had the opportunity to speak with the operators about all aspects of their experiences establishing and now running their cemeteries. From these discussion the board decided early on that we wanted to pursue a community non-profit model, operating at cost-recovery to keep things local and affordable. We are committed to serving as many people as we can who have strong ties to Gabriola as residents and past residents, their extended family members, or as members of the Snuneymuxw First Nation. A few other key things we’ve learned that we hope to incorporate in a Gabriola site:
Having a location within or adjacent to a conservation area with trails for walking and spaces to sit in contemplation;
Designing a space which facilitates a transition from our daily world into one that is sacred and peaceful;
Ensuring the burial needs and desires of the Snuneymuxw First Nation are met by working with them to design a separate space if they choose;
Building a small covered area for gathering and tool storage, and possibly including a small area for parking; and
Having a community memorial and a scattering garden for cremated remains. Including individual grave markers sourced from the property may be considered according to the wishes of the community.
We’d love to hear from you! What is your vision for a natural burial memorial park o Gabriola? Tell us: naturalburialgabriola@gmail.com
Search For Suitable Land
Acquiring land is a significant challenge for GIMS. There are a number of important considerations including setback from wells, soil depth and composition, and ease of access that shape what land might be suitable for a natural cemetery. The cost to purchase and develop a property for use as a green burial site is prohibitive for a small non-profit run by volunteers. Ideally we will receive a donation of land from the local/ regional/ or provincial government or from a private individual or group in exchange for a tax receipt. We continue to meet regularly with our representatives in government to discuss possible opportunities, and will collaborate with other non-profit organizations on and off island who value environmental stewardship and protection.
For more information on our work to acquire suitable land please go to our webpage: Land Search Initiative
If you or someone you know can help in our search for land please contact: naturalburialgabriola@gmail.com
A Closer Look: The Models of Denman Island and Salt Spring Islands
Denman Island Natural Burial Cemetery
The natural cemetery operated by the Denman Island Memorial Society (DIMS) is run as a community non-profit cemetery and serves the past and present residents and landowners of Denman Island and their families. The site is located on a 1.06 ha parcel donated by the Denman Conservancy Association who continues to hold a conservation covenant on the land. The cemetery has been operating since 2015 and employs a part-time manager. It has a non-covered gathering space between two curved concrete memorial walls. Individual graves are not marked but individual bronze plaques, installed on the memorial walls, record every burial. The Denman Island Natural Burial Cemetery sells burial plots on a “pre-need” or “at-need” basis and they have a small scattering garden for cremated remains.
The DIMS website provides information and resources on many aspects of green burial.
Salt Spring Island Natural Cemetery
The natural cemetery on Salt Spring Island (SSINC) is a for profit business run by Cathy Valentine and Gavin Johnston. It opened in 2020 and is situated on over 5 hectares of their family farm. SSINC offers burials to anyone, regardless of place of residence or connection to the Salt Spring community. Interment here is done in natural clearings of the forest and burial plots are sold on a “pre-need” or “at-need” basis. There is a small covered area with a fire pit for gathering, an adjacent washroom and parking. Memorialization is at individual grave sites with etched stones sourced from the property. There is a also a small scattering garden.
The SSINC website has great information on their services and green burial in general. There are links to many media interviews and print articles about them.
An Overview of GIMS Work To Date…
Since 2021, GIMS has been active on many fronts to educate Gabriola residents and visitors about green burial, GIMS vision for a site and our search for suitable land to develop for a much needed burial site on Gabriola. Some of those initiatives include:
Market Table
For many years we have been setting up a market table at the Agi Farmer’s Market to connect with community members, answer questions and share information about green burial generally and GIMS’ land search.
Sounder Articles
GIMS has written a number of educational articles that have been published in the Sounder in addition to receiving coverage about our most noteworthy activities.
Guest Speakers, Workshops and Presenting in the Community
GIMS has hosted Landscape Architect and Green Burial Society of Canada founder Eric Lees twice for public talks. In 2025, Community Deathcare Advocate Sue Muirhead joined us for a public talk and workshop. At our 2026 AGM, board members and the caretaker of the Denman Island Natural Cemetery participated in a community Q&A session. GIMS also held a community engagement session, sharing our vision and inviting community members to share theirs. We were also invited to speak to the Gabriola Ecumenical Society and have appeared twice before the RDN Parks and Open Spaces Advisory Committee.
Islands Trust Community Visioning and the Official Community Plan
GIMS along with GaLTT (Gabriola Lands and Trails Trust) and Growls (Gabriola Rescue of Wildlife Society) hosted a community visioning and engagement workshop in 2024, and we participated in the Community Health and Wellness Fair held later that year. In early 2026 we presented to the Local Trust Committee requesting that zoning for a green burial site be specifically included in the new draft of the Official Community Plan.
Honeysuckle Woods
One of our most important initiatives over the past few years has been our partnership with GaLTT to acquire the Barrett quarry land from the BC Government for community use as protected parkland and a small natural burial site. Over 1200 Gabriola residents signed a petition supporting this initiative which was presented to the BC Legislature in 2024. Despite a meeting with the Minister, work with our local MLA, and follow up requests, the Minister for Transportation and Transit advised MoTT will retain the land.
Regional District of Nanaimo Gabriola Green Burial Feasibility Study
In early January 2026 GIMS submitted a proposal to the RDN for a feasibility study for a green cemetery on Gabriola Island. The proposal was successful and eventually Lees and Associates was hired to do the study. GIMS is actively engaged in the project and the timeline for a preliminary report and recommendations in fall 2026. We are hopeful that a path forward, for GIMS to acquire land to develop a green cemetery, will be identified.
Let’s Find The Right Land - Together Land Search Campaign
GIMS has recently launched an information campaign focussed on educating the community about GIMS, green burial and land characteristics that would make for a suitable natural burial site. See a copy of the trifold here and/ or visit us at the farmers markets this summer to pick up a copy and meet some of our Board members!