The following was written by Quadra resident and death doula Joanna Lumley, who buried her father in June 2025. Daisies, foxgloves, and the bright yellow flowers of broom will forever remind me of my dad. They lined the roads, as I raced back and forth between my home and his, early this summer. He taught me the names of things….
In British Columbia, families currently have only two legal options for human disposition: burial—either traditional or green—and flame-based cremation. In contrast, other provinces and many U.S. states have expanded their offerings to include more environmentally responsible alternatives, while BC’s options have seen little change. In some communities, including ours, we are fortunate to have access to green burial. Natural burial…
“I thought the earth remembered me, she took me back so tenderly …” -Mary Oliver The introduction of a shroud-only burial option in the natural burial area of the Quadra Island Cemetery marks a meaningful expansion of choice—one that honours one of humanity’s oldest burial practices, being wrapped and laid directly into the earth, without a casket. What is a…
Jewish traditions surrounding death and mourning are deeply rooted in reverence, compassion, and community. They offer a structured yet tender way to honour life, acknowledge loss, and accompany the bereaved through their grief. These practices are both ancient and timeless, reflecting a belief that death is a natural part of life’s sacred continuity. When someone dies, care begins immediately. The…
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, a casket is shaped like a box, while a coffin is tapered and has six sides rather than four. To shroud a body simply means to wrap it in cloth. Although caskets are often purchased from a funeral home, they can be built by friends or family, custom made on the island, ordered…
The following was written by Lorraine Fracy, who manages Woodland at Royal Oak Burial Park in Victoria. 15 years of Green Reflections…. Watching Mother Nature at her finest has been an awe-inspiring journey here at Royal Oak Burial Park. 500 plus bodies tucked into our beautiful space replanted with big leaf maples, dogwood, garry oaks and numerous native ground cover…
There are many compelling reasons why people choose cremation, but presuming it is more eco-friendly than burial is often incorrect. In cremation, the body is placed inside a combustible container such as a cardboard or plywood box. This is burned in a chamber, also known as a retort, at a temperature between 1400 and 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, for about two…
At our local Quadra Library, there is now a shelving unit of books dedicated to topics relating to caregiving and end-of-life. As you come through the entrance, turn immediately to the right and you will see it bside the magazines. Community members are invited to browse the titles. If you see one you’d like to borrow, jot down the date, book title, and…
From the UBC website: The Body Donation Program in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC) has been in service since 1950. Over the years many individuals have donated their bodies for the purpose of anatomical study and medical research, making a very special and valuable contribution to the education of our health care professionals and the…
Aquamation is a method of cremation that is significantly more environmentally responsible than fire-based cremation. Also known as alkaline hydrolysis, resomation, and water cremation, it involves liquefying the body under pressure in a mixture of potassium hydroxide and water. The decomposition process is the same as that which occurs naturally when a body is buried, but at an accelerated rate….