Green Plan | Environment
An increasing number of families are chossing Notre-Dame-des-Neiges as a final resting place for their loved ones.
Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery is attracting an increased number of families this year. Since January 2022, more than 2,410 families have chosen the cemetery as the burial place for their loved ones, an increase of 11% compared to 2021. In addition, the number of families who have acquired a lot at the Cemetery has increased by 23%, and the total area of lots acquired is up by 48%.
August 24 2022
A Green Shift Underway Since 2020
Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery is attracting an increased number of families this year. Since January 2022, more than 2,410 families have chosen the cemetery as the burial place for their loved ones, an increase of 11% compared to 2021. In addition, the number of families who have acquired a lot at the Cemetery has increased by 23%, and the total area of lots acquired is up by 48%.
Since 2020, the Cemetery has historically undertaken its most important green shift in order to reduce its ecological footprint and contribute to Mont Royal’s biodiversity, while ensuring the respect and enhancement of natural environments. Reduction, recovery, recycling and reuse are at the heart of its the ecological reflection, as well as the will to innovate.
The Cemetery has also set up ecological burial zones allowing people who choose cremation to replace the installation of a monument with the planting of a tree belonging to a native species. More than 156 families have chosen the Remembrance Grove to make an ecological gesture at the time of their death by returning their ashes quickly to nature thanks to a young tree that will grow in an exceptional and protected site on the slopes of Mount Royal.
"We are grateful to all the families who trust us for this important step in the life of a loved one and we aim to offer each of them the best possible experience," said Éric Choinière, Director of Sales and Customer Service. "For a growing number of families, our environmental actions are important. Their impact on biodiversity is noticeable and positive, but we are aware that the ecological conversion of such a vast space, covered with 13,000 trees of a wide variety of species, is a complex process that must be well communicated, and done gradually and respectfully.”
To stop the waste of water caused by its outdated water supply system, the Cemetery installed 22 water tanks on site, which also collect rainwater. The Cemetery then consulted with its customers and undertook the conversion of a large area of 93,000 m2 into a field of flowers and perennial native plants. The measures implemented by the Cemetery include planting 305 new trees, converting a parking lot into a new green space, etc. As a result of these measures, 14,000 litres of gasoline, 22,600 litres of diesel, and nearly 400 tonnes of salt and gravel were reduced between 2020 and 2021.
The Cemetery serves approximately 4,000 bereaved families each year and we hope that this place of peace and remembrance will become more beautiful, more peaceful, less polluting, as well as contribute to the improvement of the Mont Royal’s flora and fauna.
About Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery
Since its founding in 1854, Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery has welcomed close to one million deceased persons in a unique site that is recognized, with its 343 acres, as the largest cemetery in Canada. A national historic site, Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery is a place of peace and remembrance, as well as a jewel of Montreal's architectural, historical, arboreal and environmental heritage.
Latest News
General
The Cemetery's Renewed Commitment
La Fabrique de la paroisse Notre-Dame is proud to announce that it is on the right track to achieving its goal of contacting all families affected by the delays which occurred in 2023 and 2024 before the end of the year.
General
The Cemetery Remains Operational and Services Continue Despite the Labour Dispute
La Fabrique, l’organisme sans but lucratif chargée de gérer le site historique du Cimetière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, souhaite à nouveau souligner que les services considérés essentiels, notamment les inhumations, sont offerts malgré le conflit de travail du personnel administratif.
General
The Cemetery Announces the Near-Complete Reopening of the Site to the General Public
Following the end of the labour dispute which led to the closure of the Cemetery, La Fabrique announces that the near-entirety of the Cemetery will once again be made accessible to the general public, as well as the site’s three entrances, starting on September 11, 2023.
General
Consensus Reached with the Operations Union Until 2027
Many families have suffered for several months because they’ve been unable to complete their mourning or access the Cemetery to visit a loved one. We’re well aware of this and sincerely apologize for this situation.
General
The Fabrique Thanks the Minister of Labour for his Proposal to End the Labour Dispute
Representatives of the Fabrique met today with the Minister of Labour, Jean Boulet, to review the current labour dispute and the status of discussions underway between the parties, in collaboration with the chief mediator-conciliator, since June 29th.
General
The Fabrique Asks the CSN to Finalize Agreements
Un protocole de retour au travail, contenant les dispositions usuelles, a aussi été soumis aux syndicats le 15 juin 2023.
General
The Cemetery Wants to End the Labour Dispute
The Fabrique's negotiating team met with representatives of the unions representing its operations and office employees on June 2, in the presence of the head conciliator. The Fabrique presented them with a global settlement offer, which the two cemetery unions rejected.
Ecology & Biodiversity
The Cemetery Certified as a Haven for Biodiversity by Space for Life
Montreal's Botanical Garden, part of Canada's largest natural science museum complex, Space for Life, has officially recognized the Cemetery as a biodiverse haven.
General
Leftover Ice Storm Damages On-Site
Despite our work to repair the damages and clean the site, trees and branches still block many of the cemetery's 33 kilometres of roads.
General
The Cemetery Devastated by the Ice Storm
Following yesterday's major ice storm, on April 5th, the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery is devastated, as are many other areas of Montréal.
General
The Cemetery Soon to be Opened to Families of the Deceased
The Fabrique announces that Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery will soon be open to the families of the deceased.
General
Negotiating Reasonably to Remain an Employer of Choice
Since the beginning of negotiations with the union, the Cemetery has sought to reach a reasonable agreement to continue to treat its employees well.
General
Minimizing impacts and focusing on negotiation
The Fabrique has learned of the decision of the union representing its operations employees to call an unlimited general strike while negotiations are still underway.
Ecology & Biodiversity
The Cemetery Adopts the City of Montréal's Pollinator Protection Plan: 2022-2027 Objective
Our green actions have contributed to a significant increase in the number and variety of insects and butterflies, including the return of the Monarch butterfly, Montreal's emblematic pollinator.
General
Activities Continue at the Cemetery Despite the Strike
While negotiations for the renewal of the collective agreement continue, the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery Office Employees Union has announced that its members will be on strike as of September 20th.
Green Plan | Environment
The Green Plan Meet the Needs of Families & Montréal’s Biodiversity Conservation Goals
Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery is attracting an increased number of families this year. Since January 2022, more than 2,410 families have chosen the cemetery as the burial place for their loved ones, an increase of 11% compared to 2021. In addition, the number of families who have acquired a lot at the Cemetery has increased by 23%, and the total area of lots acquired is up by 48%.
Green Plan | Environment
The Artists' Union Associates Itself with the Cemetery's Green Plan
For the second year of implementation of the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery's green plan, the Artists' Union and Foundation announce their support for and association with the cemetery’s objectives of reducing its impact on the environment and maximizing its contribution to the development of biodiversity on Mount Royal.
General
Accepted Flowers During The Holidays
Read our regulations concerning the placement of natural flowers during the holiday season in our mausoleums.
Green Plan | Environment
A Look Back on the First Year of our Green Plan and Next Steps
We try our best to keep our clientele informed about the Green plan as well as present the ongoing challenges the cemetery faces.
History & Heritage
Mount Royal's Discovery Stopovers
Located on the Mount Royal Heritage Site, the Cemetery has the privilege of hosting a portion of the Escales découvertes, an initiative of the City of Montréal in celebration of its 375th anniversary.
Green Plan | Environment
Leave No Trace
We are proud to announce that we are proud partners with the nonprofit Leave No Trace Canada, an organization dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible use of natural areas.
History & Heritage
The Cemetery Commemorates Canadian Veterans
Every year on the first Sunday of June, the Last Post Fund visits Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery in order to pay tribute to the deceased who died honourably for our freedom.
Ecology & Biodiversity
Groundhog Season
The cemetery, like the rest of Mount Royal, is home to many animal species, such as groundhogs (Marmota monax), also known as woodchucks.
Green Plan | Environment
Remembrance Grove Welcomes Its First Resident
Today, we pay tribute to Mrs. Ana S.L., who was interred yesterday afternoon under the first tree of Remembrance Grove. She thus inaugurates a new chapter at Notre Dame des Neiges, a chapter in her image: in harmony with nature.