What's New!
The new project has received regulatory approval to begin development of the site, to be developed cooperatively by Green Cemetery Project of Winnipeg and Memorial Woodland of Manitoba. We have reached an agreement with the RM of Brokenhead which now just needs to be documented. Once the formal lease agreement is completed the very last step will be to identify an official start date that we will be able to being development of the site. There is currently a cultivation agreement in place which utilizes a large portion of the site. We hope to receive clarification in the near future as to when we will be able to access either a part or the whole of the site. Stay tuned for updates!
By combining our two projects we have given ourselves a tremendous amount of momentum and potential resources. As a combined project, we have now exceeded our participation threshold allowing us to commence development!
The new 57 acre parcel of land (see development plan above) has been chosen which is adjacent to the current cemetery in Tyndall Manitoba. The site is already partially wooded.
On the plan above, the section dedicated to the Memorial Woodland is located in the south east quadrant (the dark green trees). Also note that the first phase of development will not encompass the entire 57 acres. The section noted as “8” will be a future expansion.
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.
We hope that you find this project interesting and compelling. If you are curious, 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/aquamated remains of deceased individuals will be mingled with the root systems of new and existing trees, suitable for the Manitoba climate. Likewise, we can offer the option of a green burial with tree planted above. 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 multiple individuals and/or pets. If you are inspired by our project, you can make a CRA tax receiptable donation to our organization.
Your Help Will Make This Forest Happen!
Your support will accelerate development of our Memorial Woodland. Making a deposit of $1000 now will guarantee current pricing and terms. It is anticipated that participation fees may rise in 2026.
We invite you to join our forest.
There are likely families that are currently in possession of the cremated remains of loved ones, and have not yet determined what will be done with the cremains. We invite them to consider the Memorial Woodland as a prime option for all, or a portion of, the cremains.
Rendering of completed Woodland by Tiana Swintak
We Have Land!
After years of searching, we have acquired a 57 acre parcel of land 30 minutes drive from the Winnipeg perimeter. Stay tuned as we will make a series of announcements, including media releases. The speed by which we develop our site will now rest with the volume of prospective participants.
Birds Eye View of the entire project which includes the 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. One Manitoba company has now been licensed to undertake aquamation. There are at least two companies in Manitoba that undertake aquamation for pets. In some US jurisdictions, they are also moving forward with “human composting”. 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.
We will now be able to offer the option of a true green burial with a tree planted above. We are happy to provide all of these different options!