The Slocan Lake Green Burial Society is having an opening celebration of the Slocan Lake Green Burial Ground in New Denver this weekend, the first green burial ground in the Kootenays.

The burial ground officially opened last Friday as they completed their first burial. As a non-profit organization, the The Slocan Lake Green Burial Society suggests that people are looking for different alternatives in after-death care.

“Many people are seeking a more gentle approach to after-death care," the organization states. "As well, the growing desire to protect the environment and reduce greenhouse gases has led many to question the procedures used in conventional burials and cremation and to seek a less wasteful and more environmentally friendly approach to burying the dead."

Two board members of the Slocan Lake Green Burial Society Gitta Ridder and Moe Lyons spoke with CJLY to discuss the impact of green burials, why they started the society and how they were able to open a burial ground.

The opening celebration will be at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23.

Listen to the story below: