03 Oct From Earth to Earth, The Lost Art of Dying in America: Short documentary and conversation about Vermont’s first forest cemetery
From Earth to Earth, The Lost Art of Dying in America
Short documentary and conversation about Vermont’s first forest cemetery
Thursday, October 17, 2024, 5:30pm
Main Theater, Latchis Theater in downtown Brattleboro
Admission is free, with donations to cover the cost of theater rental gratefully accepted
Sponsored by BRATTLEBORO AREA HOSPICE
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKBtSfmUmKA
Join us for a screening of the short documentary, “From Earth to Earth, The Lost Art of Dying in America” presented by Vermont Forest Cemetery. This 20 minute short documentary showcases the beauty and significance of natural burial. It explores the legalization of natural burial in Vermont and the opening and first burial at its first natural burial ground, Vermont Forest Cemetery, alongside one woman’s journey to find her “forever home” at Greensprings Natural Burial Preserve, the 3rd oldest natural burial ground in the United States. Following the screening there will be a question and answer session, featuring our Founder and Head Cemeterian Michelle Hogle Acciavatti and the After Death Care Team at Brattleboro Area Hospice. Come witness how Vermont Forest Cemetery is preserving the environment, honoring loved ones, and creating a legacy of sustainability, and learn more about the new after death care services Brattleboro Area Hospice will be providing for local hospice clients.
Let’s come together to celebrate life, nature, and the profound impact of environmentally friendly end-of-life choices. We can’t wait to share this special evening with you!
About Vermont Forest Cemetery:
Vermont Forest Cemetery is a 501c13 non-profit cemetery which opened in October of 2023. Our mission includes five branches- burial, conservation, arts, learning & community- to help people connect meaningfully with the forest that they choose to sustain with their bodies when they die. Thanks to our volunteers we have developed trails and assisted over 14 families with burials. If you’d like to learn more about volunteering with Vermont Forest Cemetery please visit our website https://www.cemetery.eco/about and scroll to the bottom of the page!
About Michelle:
Michelle Hogle (Ho-gull) Acciavatti (Ah-chah-VAH-tee) M.Sci., is a natural deathcare worker and the founder of Vermont Forest Cemetery the first natural burial ground in Vermont. She is a licensed funeral director, death doula, pregnancy loss guide, home funeral guide, end of life specialist and natural burial educator. In 2016, she created Green Mountain Funeral Alternatives to help people preparing for the end of life, designing funeral services, caring for their own dead, and exploring natural burial options. Michelle has practiced death work with people of all ages, including death during pregnancy. Her work has found her in settings as varied as the forest, Boston Children’s Hospital, and people’s own living rooms as well as the traditional funeral home.
About After Death Care:
The After Death Care Team at Brattleboro Area Hospice is a compassionate resource, sharing information about legal, practical options in after death care. The volunteers support BAH clients in planning and implementing their wishes surrounding the care of a body between death and disposition. The team works with whatever values and parameters clients present, supporting clients and loved ones in embodying a human to human connection that is at once ancient and visionary.
For more information, please call Brattleboro Area Hospice at 802-257-0775, or email info@brattleborohospice.org.