Greenwood Cemetery

DENIS LANGLOIS/THE SUN TIMES Share Adjust Comment Print Bob Hope wants to see Owen Sound revive discussion on offering a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional burials at Greenwood Cemetery. The Owen Sound resident has been calling on the city for years to kick start the process to allow natural burials at the city-owned facility. He said Tuesday that his passion for the cause has not waned. “I think it’s very relevant. I think it’s more and more relevant as we become aware that our style of living is significantly altering the environment around us,” he said in an interview. Hope’s comments come as Owen Sound begins a process to review and update its Greeenwood Cemetery Master Plan, which last took place in 2012. The review is set to launch Feb. 20 with an open house from 4 to 4:30 p.m. at city hall, followed by a presentation and public engagement session from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. An online survey to solicit further feedback on the cemetery’s future will go live after the event. Adam Parsons, the city’s manager of parks and open spaces, said the survey will ask, among other things, if there are options for burial that should be considered at Greenwood Cemetery. If the city receives a lot of feedback on natural burials, he said it could decide to explore the idea through further research and public consultation. “Part of the master plan review is looking at industry trends and how they’re changing. We just want to make sure we’re well informed on what the implications of natural burial would be if that’s something the community wants,” he said. Parsons said the goal is wrap up the master plan review, which will involve another public meeting later in the process, by June. During the last review, Hope collected more than 70 signatures on a petition in support of natural burials, which involve burying remains without embalming fluids or a stained or glossy casket – a simple casket or shroud can be used – i...