Ecotherapy is an approach that uses nature as a source of comfort and healing, especially during times of grief. After losing a loved one, the need to slow down, reconnect with oneself, and find a space of serenity becomes essential. Natural landscapes offer a refuge where the mind can rest and the heart can, slowly, begin to heal.
In this blog, we explore the connection between nature and healing, while highlighting the green spaces of the three cemeteries of Mount Royal Commemorative Services — Mount Royal, Des Trembles, and Belvedere — as unique places for reflection and comfort.
What is Ecotherapy?
Also known as nature-based therapy, ecotherapy involves integrating outdoor activities into a personal well-being journey. It’s not just about spending time outside but consciously engaging with the natural environment to find deep calm.
It can take many forms:
- Slow, mindful walks
- Outdoor meditation sessions
- Silent contemplation of a landscape
- Gardening or observing wildlife and plants
Research shows that regular exposure to a natural environment is linked to reduced cortisol levels, anxiety, blood pressure, and heart rate, while promoting a more peaceful state of mind. A Harvard study highlights that spending time in nature can significantly boost both physical and mental well-being.
The Link Between Nature and the Grieving Process
Nature has a unique way of reminding us that everything moves in cycles: seasons change, life transforms, and new forms are born. For someone grieving, these symbols can be meaningful, offering a reassuring framework to accept loss.
Hearing birdsong, feeling the wind on your skin, admiring light filtering through leaves — these simple moments can become anchors. They invite us to slow down and take a “mental pause,” a moment to reconnect with ourselves and welcome emotions without judgment.
In a natural setting, it becomes easier to center oneself, allow memories or thoughts to surface, and sometimes even find moments of peace in the heart of sorrow.
Garden Cemeteries: Unique Spaces for Reflection
Contrary to the often austere image of cemeteries, garden cemeteries combine remembrance with natural beauty. Tree-lined paths, flowerbeds, and peaceful water features create spaces where you can both honor a memory and recharge.
The three cemeteries of Mount Royal Commemorative Services embody this philosophy perfectly:
- Mount Royal Cemetery: A vast historic and green space, a true haven of peace in the heart of Montreal. Its wooded trails and viewpoints invite contemplation.
- Des Trembles Cemetery & Funeral Complex: Nestled in a rich natural environment, it offers a harmonious blend of nature and remembrance.
- Belvedere Cemetery: Known for its open, light-filled landscapes that enhance the feeling of fresh air and serenity.
These places are not just burial grounds — they are living parks where nature plays an essential therapeutic role.
Practicing Ecotherapy in Our Cemeteries
Visiting a garden cemetery can become a true ecotherapy practice. Here are a few simple ways to integrate such moments into your visits:
- Walk slowly: Let your steps find a calm, steady rhythm while paying attention to your breath.
- Observe: Notice the diversity of trees, the scent of flowers, the flight of birds.
- Write: Bring a notebook to record your thoughts, memories, or emotions in the moment.
- Sit: Find a shaded bench, close your eyes, and let the sounds of nature surround you.
These simple actions can help create a more peaceful inner space. Whether alone or with someone, these moments allow us to reconnect with the life that continues around us.
Seeking Support Along the Way
Ecotherapy does not replace professional support, but it can be a valuable complement. Support groups, psychologists, and community workers can all be part of a holistic healing process.
At Mount Royal Commemorative Services, our mission is to support families with compassion. We offer natural spaces that encourage reflection and work with trusted partners to help those in grief.
We invite you to visit our three sites — Mount Royal, Des Trembles, and Belvedere — to experience the beauty of their landscapes and the peace they can bring.
Nature: A Precious Ally on the Path of Grief
Nature holds a subtle yet powerful healing power. In moments of grief, it reminds us that even in the heart of loss, there can still be gentleness, light, and new beginnings.
Spending time in a green space, surrounded by trees, flowers, and natural light, is a way to pause, breathe, and reconnect with what truly matters.
Mount Royal, Des Trembles, and Belvedere cemeteries are more than places of remembrance — they are havens of peace where nature and memory meet to offer a path toward solace.
