What's New!
Green Cemetery Project of Winnipeg and Memorial Woodland of Manitoba have reached an agreement with the RM of Brokenhead which now just needs to be documented.
Our two projects will be combined which will give us a tremendous amount of momentum and potential resources. A new 57 acre parcel of land has been chosen which is adjacent to the current cemetery in Tyndall Manitoba. The site is already partially wooded.
Much like the previous 18 acre site, the acquisition is conditional upon our two projects combined finding a sufficient number of committed participants to ensure ourselves and the RM that the project is sustainable in perpetuity. We will have until the spring of 2026 to achieve our participation goal of 100. As a combined project, we have now exceeded our participation goal!
It will take a number of weeks for us to work out the details of our new relationship, after which we will ramp up our combined marketing push. The new endeavour will likely include a new schedule and menu of participation options. Those wishing to make a deposit now will be able to lock in the current schedule of participation fees.
The new combined site will include spaces for green burial, as well as areas for participants to be joined with trees. A joint venture will also provide for the new option of having a true green burial with a tree planted above. We are very excited by the possibilities associated with our combined resources and support. Please stay tuned to our website.
The Board of Memorial Woodland has determined that we do not have sufficient momentum to proceed with this project this spring. As a result, we are seeking an extension to December 1, 2025, to secure additional participant deposits. We are also in serious discussions with Green Cemetery Project Winnipeg to combine our projects. Doing so will significantly increase our likelihood of creating a perpetually sustainable project.
We hope that you find this project interesting and compelling. In order for us to make this a reality, we need individuals to come forward and commit to being participants. If this sounds like you, please contact us at info@memorialwoodland.ca . We would be very pleased to answer any questions you might have.
We encourage you to spread the word about this project so that we don’t miss out on potential participants.
Rendering prepared by Tiana Swintak
What is the Memorial Woodland of Manitoba?
The Memorial Woodland of Manitoba Inc. is a charitable organization, registered with the Canada Revenue Agency. It has been created to facilitate an ambitious and creative “green” project. Namely, to develop and maintain a forest where the cremated remains of deceased individuals will be mingled with the root systems of new and existing trees, suitable for the Manitoba climate. The public will also be invited to plant trees in memory of individuals and The Woodland will also facilitate the optional placement of a small memorial marker to serve as a lasting legacy. You will be encouraged to plant your tree and watch it grow before you choose to “join” it when you are completed your earthly adventure. The tree can also serve as a communal resting place for two individuals (and/or an unlimited number of pets).
Your Help Will Make This Forest Happen!
We need your help to make this forest a reality! Show us this is an important project worth pursuing by reserving your spot today. We need 50 trees spoken for before we commit to developing the project. Reserve your spot for just $1000!
We invite you to join our forest.
Rendering of completed Woodland by Tiana Swintak
We Have Land!
Birds Eye View of the Proposed Memorial Woodland. (Prepared by Tiana Swintak)
Professionally designed and maintained, The Woodland will be an interactive gathering place. The extent of amenities will depend directly on how successful the project becomes. Ideally, the finished forest will contain picnic sites, water features and pathways.
The "Science"
In proposing cremation or alkaline hydrolysis – “water cremation” or human composting), followed by the remains being incorporated into the root system of a tree, we acknowledge that some may question what is actually left of a person to be co-mingled with the tree. At the very least there will be a sharing of your essence at the molecular level, as well as a contribution of nutrients from your cremains. It is our view, that at the very least, your essence will be incorporated into the life of the tree. We are well aware of the necessity to treat the cremains to allow them to properly nourish the tree, as undiluted cremains can be toxic to greenery due to their PH level.
In Manitoba, there is now one company (see our links page) that will perform “liquid” cremation that will present another option for becoming one with the tree. Advocates for this type of water cremation note that it is significantly less environmentally impactful than fire cremation. We are aware of at least two companies in Manitoba that undertake aquamation for pets. In some US jurisdictions, they are also moving forward with “human composting” which would no doubt become the greenest option available. If and when human composting becomes an option in Manitoba it will likely be quite expensive (in the range of $7000-10,000). Anything we’ve come across so far suggests that there is indeed identifiable molecular content that remains after cremation/aquamation that will become one with the tree. As such, we are facilitating a form of treeincarnation.