What Goes Into Creating Conservation Burial Grounds?
ConsultingYour local land trust is a good place to start to learn more about conservation principles. For more about how conservation burial ground operators interact with land trusts, consider hiring a consultant for initial advice, and be sure to check in with the any of following organizations, offices and agencies:
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ConnectingRelationship building is essential to the success of conservation burial projects because every one of them will become part of the fabric of your community. Seek out people in your community who can assist in making change, such as:
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ConservingConservation land trusts have developed proven principles for acquisition and management of intrinsically valuable lands.
Conservation burial as a land conservation strategy relies on those same principles, and partnering with responsible land trusts ensures future access for the families involved, and the assurance that their loved ones' resting place will remain cared for according to best practices. Reliable funding to support the acquisition, maintenance, and future of protected land and burial grounds on them is essential. Locate invested donors and volunteers but keep your eye on the prize: building community around an idea that benefits everyone. |
Questions for Prospective Cemetery Start-ups
Heartwood Preserve Conservation Cemetery, Trinity, FL
We strongly recommend spending time formulating answers to the following questions as you consider the possibility of starting a conservation level burial ground. Thanks to conservation burial consultants Heidi Hannapel and Jeff Masten of Landmatters for their help in developing these insightful questions.
Project
1. Have you researched your state’s cemetery law?
2. Do you have a green burial model in mind?
3. Who is leading the project? (Hello, Champion?)
4. What is your background?
5. Do you have land available?
6. Who would run the cemetery?
General
1. What brings you to green burial?
2. What attracts you to the idea?
3. Have you visited any green burial sites?
4. Are you aware of the distinction between green burial and conservation burial?
Personal Goals
1. What are your goals for the project?
2. What resources are you bringing?
3. What influence do you have?
4. What are your limitations, barriers, obstacles?
5. Is timing an issue?
Relationship with Land Trust
1. Do you have relationships within the conservation community?
2. Do you have a relationship with your local land trust?
3. Is this your first contact with the land trust or are you helping their board develop a cemetery committee?
4. Are you proposing a project on land the land trust already owns?
5. Are you proposing a project on new land the land trust must acquire?
6. Do you have other community partners identified?
Project
1. Have you researched your state’s cemetery law?
2. Do you have a green burial model in mind?
3. Who is leading the project? (Hello, Champion?)
4. What is your background?
5. Do you have land available?
6. Who would run the cemetery?
General
1. What brings you to green burial?
2. What attracts you to the idea?
3. Have you visited any green burial sites?
4. Are you aware of the distinction between green burial and conservation burial?
Personal Goals
1. What are your goals for the project?
2. What resources are you bringing?
3. What influence do you have?
4. What are your limitations, barriers, obstacles?
5. Is timing an issue?
Relationship with Land Trust
1. Do you have relationships within the conservation community?
2. Do you have a relationship with your local land trust?
3. Is this your first contact with the land trust or are you helping their board develop a cemetery committee?
4. Are you proposing a project on land the land trust already owns?
5. Are you proposing a project on new land the land trust must acquire?
6. Do you have other community partners identified?
Resources for Prospective Conservation Cemeteries
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Start-Up Tips for Green Burial Cemetery Operators
Topics covered include:
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Opening, Closing, & Maintaining a Green Cemetery
Topics covered include:
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Find More Resources
The Green Burial Council, formed in 2005, is both the only green burial cemetery certifying entity in the world and a robust group of educators and advocates who seek to encourage death care practices that are safe and sustainable.
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The Land Trust Alliance is "the voice of the land trust community." The LTA's recommended standards and practices are the foundation of all conservation burial practices. Learn more about how they work to ensure permanent land protection.
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Every little bit helps. It's amazing how much you can do when you choose to give a little bit of that natural habitat back."
— Roxanne Paul
