The cultural role of cemeteries is well defined, but the ecological importance of these sites is less recognized. As passively-used permanent greenspace, cemeteries have the potential to sustain biodiversity as surrounding land uses change. Informant interviews were conducted with professionals familiar with cemeteries and the funeral industry, and responses were compared within and between professions. Results of this study suggest that while cemeteries provide significant cultural and environmental benefits, their ecological potential is limited by factors including funding and legislation. In order to enhance the ecological value of cemetery sites, the incorporation of native trees and variable habitat within traditional cemetery designs should be considered to improve the quality of resources available to wildlife. Additionally,amendments should be made to the Provincial Policy Statement to include an independent land use designation for cemeteries and implement regional scale planning of these sites across Ontario.

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In contemporary North America, death is often responded to by means of geographical and social separation. Formally removed from the everyday lifeworld and boundaries of home and community, the cemetery landscape has depreciated greatly in its cultural significance and visible taking care. As changing death practices and perceptions towards mortality look to reintegrate the dead back into the living community, traditional ways of locating, memorializing and ritualizing the dead no longer reflect or express the meaning of death held by modern cultural ideals. This research looks to investigate how landscape architecture may re-imagine the cemetery landscape providing newfound cultural significance and presence within the modern everyday lifeworld. In the City of Brandon, Manitoba, the limited interment capacity of the current Municipal cemetery has established a need for expanded cemetery space. This practicum proposes rather, to relocate the cemetery within a place of meaningful significance to the community of Brandon. The design responds to the shifting ideals, and patterns of disposal and ritualization emerging within present western society. / May 2016