What goes in the ground
Caskets, shrouds & containers.
Elk Falls’ green burial area needs a fully biodegradable shroud, casket or container with a rigid base, approved by the City in advance. Here is what that means, and where suppliers will be listed.
What works
Options that can meet the bylaw.
The bylaw does not list specific products; it sets conditions. A container or shroud generally fits if it is primarily biodegradable and sustainable, has a rigid base and a safe way to be lowered, and avoids the prohibited materials below. Options that tend to fit:
- A solid untreated softwood casket (for example pine) with minimal, structural-only hardware and no synthetic finish.
- A woven casket — willow, seagrass or similar — with a rigid biodegradable base.
- Unbleached, recycled cardboard caskets.
- A natural-fibre shroud (wool, cotton, linen, silk), usually with a rigid shroud board so the body can be carried and lowered.
- Cremated remains: a biodegradable urn — including recycled or unbleached paper or cardboard — with no plastic or metal liner.
Clothing and any wrapping must also be natural, fully biodegradable material, and nothing non-biodegradable may be placed inside the space with the remains.
Bylaw arts. 9.8–9.10, 9.19. Whether a given product is acceptable is decided by the City for the green burial area before the service.
What doesn’t
Materials that are not permitted.
- Plywood, particleboard, fibreboard, MDF.
- Non-sustainable or exotic wood or hardwood.
- Metal (beyond minimal structural hinges, nails or screws); bleached or non-recycled cardboard; other artificial or non-biodegradable material.
- High-gloss or polished finishes using synthetic or hazardous chemicals.
- Synthetic or hazardous glues, epoxies or bonding agents.
- Any non-biodegradable liner, lining, bag or interior fittings.
Bylaw arts. 9.10–9.11.
Supplier directory
Where to get one.
Green burial doesn’t require a conventional funeral-home casket. Families may choose from options including simple wood caskets, woven containers and burial shrouds, provided the container meets the requirements for the cemetery where the burial will take place.
Here are several suppliers available to families in British Columbia, including one right here in the Comox Valley.
Before you buy
Elk Falls Cemetery requires green burial containers and shrouds to meet specific requirements and be approved by the City before the scheduled interment. Before purchasing a casket or shroud, confirm that the specific product will be accepted.
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Evergreen Coffin Company / Mourning Cloak Shrouds Comox Valley · closest to Campbell River
- Location
- 3850 Royston Road, Royston, BC
- Phone
- 250-792-5892
- Website
- evergreencoffins.com
- Product types
- Natural burial shrouds
Current options
Evergreen Shroud. Natural burial shroud with jute webbing forming six carrying handles. Current posted price: $425 + GST.
Simple Shroud. Natural unbleached cotton shroud. The supplier states it can be used for direct-to-ground burial when paired with a carrying board or cart. Current posted price: $299 + GST.
Prices shown are supplier-posted prices and may change.
Elk Falls
Confirm with City before purchase
-
Casket Depot Vancouver
- Location
- 18860 24 Ave, Unit 121, Surrey, BC
- Phone
- 604-833-9193
- Website
- casketdepotvancouver.ca
- Product types
- Green burial caskets · seagrass / willow caskets · simple wood caskets
Product example
Seagrass Eco Green Burial Casket. Current posted price: $999.99. The supplier describes it as handcrafted from willow, natural and biodegradable, made without toxic chemicals or dyes, and suitable for green burial.
Contact the supplier directly to confirm shipping or delivery options to Campbell River.
Elk Falls
Confirm with City before purchase
-
Pacific Coast Cremation Services
- Region
- Greater Victoria / Duncan
- Phone
- 778-433-9344
- Website
- pacificcoastcremation.com
- Product types
- Willow wicker green burial caskets
Product example
Willow Wicker Green Burial Casket. Current posted price: $2,460. The supplier describes it as handmade from natural materials, with natural cotton bedding, shroud and pillow.
Elk Falls
Confirm with City before purchase
Prices checked September 2026. Confirm current pricing directly with the supplier. A product being described by its supplier as suitable for green burial is not the same as the City of Campbell River confirming that product for use at Elk Falls Cemetery.
GreenBurialCR lists these suppliers as a resource for families. Inclusion is not an endorsement. Whether a specific product is acceptable for Elk Falls is decided by the City of Campbell River.
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