What a difference a year makes. Since I last surveyed the green burial movement in a March blog, one new natural cemetery -- the Cedar Brook Burial Ground -- has taken root in southern Maine and another half dozen similar efforts are well underway, including those in Santa Fe (New Mexico), Macon and greater Atlanta (Georgia) and in the Bangor area (Maine). They join the exiting green cemeteries that have cropped up in South Carolina, New York, Texas, Florida and California.
More are on the way. My own tally below counts a score-plus of other groups and individuals who are working to get green graveyards off the ground in their areas. In some cases, they've secured and/or identified land; in others, they're gauging local interest, seeking board members and drafting bylaws. So far, I've heard or learned of efforts in the following states:
California
Humboldt County
Los Padres National Forest
Colorado
Denver area
Georgia
Central part of the state
Savannah
Hawaii
Maui
Illinois
Downstate
Indiana
Indianapolis area
Northwest part of the state (an hour outside Chicago)
Bloomington
Kentucky
Lexington
Maine
Orrington
Michigan
Detroit area
New Mexico
Santa Fe
New York
Hudson Valley
Ohio
Cleveland
Oregon
Portland
Eugene
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia area
Texas
Central part of the state
Virginia
Roanoke
Wyoming
In Canada
Ontario
British Columbia
Nova Scotia
I'm connecting readers who want to learn more about the green grave goings-on in their area. If you'd like to join those who are active in your area -- or if you just want to learn what they’re up to -- let me know. I'll forward the information I have, and, if you wish, send the group your contact information.
P.S. The photo above was taken at the Cedar Brook Burial Ground, in Limington, Maine.
Mark Harris, Author
Grave Matters (www.gravematters.us)
No comments:
Post a Comment