Municipal Cemetery Adoption Program

Scattering gardens made simple, affordable, and sustainable.

Now accepting submissions


Participating municipalities will receive expert consulting, patented Ashes-to-Earth soil blend, and operational support to launch a Memorial Scattering Garden at an existing cemetery. All Projects will include site visit(s), business case, presentation(s) to council/leadership, SOPs and staff training, and future soil health monitoring to ensure ongoing environmental and financial sustainability.

About the MCAP program

The Municipal Cemetery Adoption Program (MCAP) gives cemeteries an affordable, efficient, and eco-friendly option for their community.

Our self-regenerating gardens use science and smart design to convert cremated remains to organic earth—generating substantially higher revenue potential than standard scattering, with a positive environmental footprint.

Unlock your cemetery’s potential.

An 8’ x 10’ MCAP scattering garden accommodates 45 cremations per year, in perpetuity.
With an affordable scattering permission of $500 per scattering, this small space can generate $22,500 annually for your department—and cover its operational costs in under 6 months.

Book a Discovery Call

Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Our specialized gardens turn cremation ashes into healthy growing medium using patented soil science. Which gives small scattering gardens unlimited capacity for interments.

MCAP also provides wrap-around project supports. Garden design, BAO approvals, and materials delivery are all led by our team. You’ll also receive pre-launch support with staff training, marketing templates, council materials, and media coverage. Site excavation and soil removal is the responsibility of the municipality.

Ready to join?

1. APPLY HERE

2. Submissions will be reviewed by AWAKE, with eligibility confirmed in cooperation with the BAO.

3. Eligible municipalities will be notified on a rolling basis. A program kick-off call will be scheduled with all participants based on your availability.

About the program

What’s included:

✔ Garden design

✔ Patented ashes-to-earth soil blend

✔ Coordination with BAO

✔ Support from other municipalities

✔ Staff training + SOPs

✔ Soil testing + monitoring

✔ Marketing package

✔ Media mentions

FAQs

  • All registered municipalities with ownership of one or more cemeteries are eligible to participate. Selected cemeteries must have 80 square feet (7.5 square metres) available space. Ex. 8 x 10 feet. Areas not previously feasible for burials are often excellent locations for a scattering garden.

  • Participation in MCAP is $8800 +HST for project management and materials costs. Invoices can be made in multiple payments and are flexible to your budgeting cycle.

    Site excavation and soil removal is the responsibility of each municipality. If needed, this can also be contracted separately through the program.

  • The goal of MCAP is to make it easy for municipalities to adopt a scattering garden. Which means our team will lead project administration and coordination. We estimate about 24 hours total staff time will be required to launch each garden.

    This includes a quarterly meeting with our program manager and other participating municipalities. Time commitment may vary depending on your department’s processes.

  • MCAP scattering gardens will be scheduled for installation between Spring and Fall 2025. Timing for each project may vary based on municipal processes. Flexibility is possible for municipalities aiming to begin interments by a specific date.