 |
Eco-Business: How To Establish Your Own Green Cemetery |
14 Comments |
| By Michael d'Estries in Green Living | April 18, 2007 | ||
I’ve profiled the subject of green burials here on Groovy several times. Since beginning my education into how I want to leave this wild world, the practice of “ethical burial” has received a great deal of press; and also witnessed an increase in established locales around the U.S.
The idea, however, is still mired in a great deal of myth; or overlooked completely. I was in Massachusetts visiting family when the front page of their newspaper contained a feature on “How To Prepare For The End.” It was accompanied a rather slimy looking funeral director in a picture standing in front of several ornate coffins. I scanned the article in hopes of a complete overview of people’s options, but only cremation received a small amount of attention. The rest of the two page feature was dedicated to laying out the costs of a plot, a casket, a funeral home, and all of the other wasteful, modern accessories we lavish on the dead. Average funerals in the U.S. can cost $8-$12K. Imagine what the living could do with that cash?
Obviously, you’ve heard this frustration from me before, but I wanted to add an additional resource to the many already written. An individual named George Russell of the Universal Ethician Church has laid out the steps he took to form his own green cemetery in Texas. Granted, this information is light on the details (and specific to one state), but it gives you an overall idea of what it would take to open your own “memorial foundation” if you so desired.
The benefits? Well, not only would you be a green entrepreneur, but you would also be giving back to the planet. Every time a section of land is declared legal for burial, it also automatically receives nature preserve status. In other words, no development would ever threaten that location for as long as laws stay relevant. If you have a location that you just can’t bare to see ravished by modern society’s “progress”, then this is one way to ensure it stays wild well after you’re gone. (No doubt, you’ll reside there in the Earth anyways).
So, have a look at George’s tips. You may find inspiration to move forward with your own green cemetery. The rest of us will most certainly thank you.
Related Resource:
Book Review: Grave Matters — an amazing book that details all the different “green ways” you can leave this world.
Video: GreenSprings Natural Cemetery — a video/article of Ithaca, NY’s first green cemetery. A great primer on what a green cemetery is all about.
Charles Scott said,
A couple of weeks ago it dawned upon me that there are many old family cemeteries in my county of Atascosa in Texas. I asked at the county how it could be done and found that it is fairly easy and simple. Hoping to get other opinions, I put an ad on Craigs List and got only positive results.
See http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/rfs/605144518.html (real estate for sale)
What’s different about my approach is that several private cemeteries would be grouped together. And, not change the natural landscape.
I would like to have your opinion on this.
Thanks, Charles Scott
Malinda Borders said,
I am interest in opening a cementary in Asheville, N.C. and seeking information on how to gett started.
Need your help
Thanks
dyan jacobs said,
I am interested in starting a green cemetery in Oregon. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
And to Charles Scott — great thinking, keep us posted on how it goes…
Robert D. Miller said,
I am also interested is starting a green cemetery, not only for the money but to help keep Gods green earth green and healthy. What would I need to do to get this started?
Thank you very much for your help.
Robert Miller
rosaura lohr said,
I am interested in starting a green cemetery. Can u tell me how to start? Is there any videos or pic’sn i can look at? Thank u a lot….
Rosaura Lohr
VJ said,
Thanks for the information. Good stuff. I have also looked into being creamated and added as part of a living reef after I am gone.
Check out: http://www.eternalreefs.com
Brian Barnes said,
I am interested in starting a green cemetery on my property in Wake county, NC. Any suggestions.
debra y johnson said,
i am interested in starting a memorial garden in montgomery,alabama.seeking information,resources and suggestions.
thank you.
Jen Quinn said,
The Green Burial Council and Foxfield Preserve will be holding a “How to start a green/natural cemetery” seminar at The Wilderness Center in Wilmot, OH September 10 and 11, 2009. This is a very practical “how to” conference aimed at those wanting to establish/operate a green cemetery. For more information visit http://www.Foxfieldpreserve.org.
pamela zientek said,
I am interested in establishing a green cemetary in buffalo, n.y. What steps are necessary regarding legal aspects, zoning laws, etc. How much acreage is neededn or does each township have laws for something like this? I would appreciate any helpful information and ideas on this matter. Thankyou for your time, Pamela Zientek
a.merrill said,
Found this web cite to late for the conference held in Wilmot, OH in September of last
year…but am interested in “going green” and would welcome any info on scheduled
conferences that might be coming up!
a.merrill said,
Found this web cite too late for the conference held in Wilmot, OH in September of last
year…but am interested in “going green” and would welcome any info on scheduled
conferences that might be coming up!
chris h. said,
i am interested in starting a cemetary in charlotte nc. Can you please advise me on how to get started and my foot in the door?
Thank you for time help
Sandra Barber said,
I think stating a cemetery is a great ideal, because we never think about a peaceful place to lad our love ones. Most cemetery over crowded. I would like to build one with sitting area and a nice waterfall so, people can visit their loves ones. This cemetery would be surrounded with beautiful flowers and a small worship place, because some people do want to take love ones to the church. This is a great investment because we all will rest soon..