An orchard Cemetery in Montreal
For over 60 years, a monumental garden centre has been a cherished part of the West Island community in Montréal. Throughout that time, the surrounding land has remained green, generous, and untouched—an open space where nature could thrive.
We want to keep it that way.
Instead of allowing this land to be transformed into condominiums, parking lots, or concrete infrastructure, we envision something far more lasting and life-giving: an orchard cemetery. A space where fruit trees—especially heritage varieties and those threatened by industrial agriculture—are planted and preserved. A space where nourishment, biodiversity, and memory take root side by side.
The idea of combining burial grounds with fruit-bearing trees is not new. In the Middle Ages, monastic gardens served dual roles as places of rest and places of nourishment. Fruit trees thrived beside graves, reminding communities that life and death are part of the same cycle and that our legacy can nourish the world we leave behind. This historical model inspires our vision today.
By reviving this practice, we aim to reimagine memorial spaces, not as static, solemn fields, but as dynamic, life-giving orchards. A place where memory grows, legacy feeds the earth, and families return year after year to see love take root.
Each tree planted is a tribute to a life lived and a commitment to a greener, more resilient future.
Why this project in Pierrefonds?
For the community
The community in Pierrefonds appreciates its greenery and has many green spaces that need to be preserved. Losing these spaces to condumiums or other concrete structures is not desired among many of the Pierrefonds residents.
For the environment
An orchard cemetery would allow more trees to be planted in Pierrefonds and to preserve green spaces. An orchard cemetery would permit between 3200 and 5000 trees to be planted on 5,7 acres.
For our children and our elders
An orchard cemetery would allow our children to visit a place where our elders could rest and be visited by the new generation with curiosity and other emotions, not just sadness.
This place would be a living example of the circle of life and provide a green space that encourages discovery, reflection and interaction.