Founded in 2005, the US Green Burial Council (GBC) was the first North American organization set up to “inspire and advocate for environmentally sustainable, natural death care through education and certification.”

The GBC is comprised of a non-profit business organization that certifies qualified providers and a non-profit educational organization that provides reliable information to providers and the public. As of 2023, the GBC has certified over 370 cemeteries in three categories, as well as qualified Funeral Homes.

Critical to the GBC’s success is the understanding that green burial would not gain traction without a credible, independent certifying entity, and without also ensuring that valid, open-source information about green burial was readily available.

The Green Burial Society of Canada respects and supports the excellent work and leadership of the Green Burial Council, which we see as our partner in a common cause. Our organization was set up to complement and extend the efforts of the GBC. Our goal is to provide a Canadian voice for green burial, responding to the specific needs of Canadian families, consumers, and business operations, working within the context of Canadian geography and climate, and the rules and regulations of our provinces and territories.