30 Jun Ask Alice July 2022

ASK ALICE

This Month’s Topic: Conservation Burials

Dear Alice,

A while back you wrote about green burials, and mentioned several cemeteries in southern Vermont that allow them.  You didn’t mention any conservation burial sites in the area, though, and I have heard that those sites are the best in terms of environmental benefits and sustainability.  Can you tell me just what a conservation burial site is and whether there are any close by?

          Thanks,  Curious about Conservation Burials

Dear Curious,

 Great question! 

 For those who missed or don’t remember the earlier column, a green burial (also called a natural burial) is a full body burial in which the body is not embalmed; is placed in the ground in a fully biodegradable casket or shroud, without any vault; and is buried at a depth of 3.5 to 4 feet.  This depth provides the ideal conditions for natural decomposition, and is also deep enough to discourage animal disturbances.  A green burial in any location provides significant environmental benefits, as it prevents toxic and foreign materials from going into the soil and fosters the decomposition of the body to enrich the soil.  For many individuals and families, it is also emotionally satisfying to know their bodies are going back into and enriching the earth and the natural world of which they are a part.  More and more community cemeteries are allowing green burials, and this is great because it makes a green burial more accessible and convenient for more and more people.

As you note, however, there is another type of green burial that provides even more benefits – a conservation burial.  The burial process for a conservation burial is essentially the same as the process for other green burials.  But instead of being a burial in an area set aside for the sole or primary purpose of being a burial ground and generally maintained as a mown lawn, a conservation burial occurs on conserved land – land legally preserved as a natural environment, not solely or primarily for burial, but for the living to use for hiking, gathering, and enjoying nature.  This is nice for the person choosing their burial site and their visiting loved ones, of course.  But even more importantly, it is an excellent way to support land conservation efforts.  Indeed, Lee Webster, whom I have previously cited as a local home funeral and natural burial expert, has said that conservation burial is “key to the future of conservation.”

There are not many conservation burial grounds, so conservation burials are not a conveniently accessible option for many people.  And until now, this has included those of us in southern Vermont.

 This is about to change, however, thanks to a group of dedicated folks at the Manitou Project, a conservation land trust with a 223-acre woodland sanctuary in the Williamsville section of Newfane. After several years of hard work, they are now jumping the last hurdles and will soon be officially opening Higher Ground Conservation Cemetery as part of their sanctuary.  In fact, they are already having tours, have a quarter of their burial sites already reserved, and have a support community that meets monthly around topics of shared interest and is open to all.  I highly recommend you check out https://highergroundconservburial.org for more information.  You can also contact Michael Mayer at mmayer92@gmail.com or 802-258-8598 to answer any further questions you may have. 

 I hope this helps.

       Best wishes,   Alice   

Please contact Ruth Nangeroni, Taking Steps Brattleboro Coordinator, 802-257-0775, ext. 101, or ruth.nangeroni@brattleborohospice.org, for information about Advance Care Planning.

Till next month, folks.  Please send your questions to Alice via info@brattleborohospice.org.