'Life after death': Natural burial and cremation in Vermont‘s first forest cemetery

Vermont Public Radio | By Marlon Hyde
Published April 28, 2022 at 5:00 AM EDT

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Unlike traditional funeral homes, caskets, makeup and clothing will be all optional. Ceremonies may involve faith or not. Instead, Michelle and Tim hope nature will work its beautiful, decompositional magic.

"We all depend on the earth to survive for a long time," Michelle says. "Burial was a way, whether it's farm animals, or you know, human remains — it was a way of making sure that the earth stayed healthy. We're giving back to the earth."

All states allow green burials, but only 19 have natural cemeteries, according to data from the nonprofit Green Burial Council. In 2015, Vermont passed its own law allowing natural burial grounds.

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