Life is a journey.
Death is a return to earth.
The universe is like an inn.
The passing years are like dust.
Regard this phantom world
As a star at dawn, a bubble in a stream,
A flash of lightning in a summer cloud
A flickering lamp - a phantom - and a dream.
According to a variety of sources, a growing number of people are working hard to use non-toxic and biodegradable products at home, at work and in our public spaces.
Sunset Hills Cemetery, Funeral Home & Crematorium can help with a more natural way to funeralize and complete the circle of life that is simple, that respects the environment and honors the future as well as the past.
It’s possible, safe and economical to be buried naturally, to return completely to the earth and nourish a park full of meadows and trees. We used to do it that way, and now is the time for it to return.For many years cremation has been touted as the most environmentally responsible form of disposition. Now with the return of natural burial, final disposition can take place in a sustainable form that will enhance the cemetery and reduce your footprint while still providing a dignified memorial for the survivors.
A modern natural burial is an environmentally sustainable alternative to existing funeral practices where the body is returned to the earth naturally and recycled into new life.The body is prepared for burial without chemical preservatives and is buried in a simple shroud or biodegradable casket or hand made coffin that might be made from locally harvested wood or wicker, sea grass, bamboo or even recycled paper and silk, perhaps even a simple natural casket decorated with good-bye messages from friends.
A natural burial ground often uses grave markers that don’t intrude on the landscape. These natural markers can include shrubs and trees, an engraved flat stone or boulder native to the area or centralized memorial structure set within the emerging forest that provides places for visitors to sit.
Sunset Hills, as in all cemeteries, there are careful records kept of the exact location of each interment, often using modern survey techniques such as GIS (geographic information system).Planting native trees, shrubs and flowers on or near the grave establishes a living memorial and helps form a protected wildlife preserve. A completed natural burial preserve is a green place with trees, grasses, and wildflowers, which in turn bring birds and other wildlife to the area.
At Sunset Hills Cemetery we have dedicated a section of the cemetery exclusively for natural burial. We also allow natural burial to take place in the traditional burial sections of the cemetery with the understanding that maintenance will be required on the gravesite throughout the year. This allows families whom own existing sites or want to be buried near loved ones to still utilize a natural and sustainable burial practice within the context of a traditional burial ground.
At Sunset Hills we are endeavoring to have the least possible impact on the environment while still serving Lane counties families in a dignified manor and in a beautiful setting. Our focus on reducing our impact not only involves how the burial takes place but transcends to our grounds maintenance.
We utilize timed, low water usage sprinkler systems, cisterns to collect underground water, Natural fertilizers and weed abatement as well a brew our own organic bio-tea for supplementing our gardens soils. We also heavily rely on our own composting for creating topsoil. Last year we accepted 17 City of Eugene dump truck loads of leaves for our composting program.We maintain our grounds using bio- diesel in our lawn equipment, tractors and excavators.
A natural burial takes the concept of “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” to heart with a simple, natural, and meaningful alternative to the wastefulness and extravagant consumption of the traditional funeral.A natural burial is about completing the circle of life. What could be more beautiful than to become a part of nature?Natural burial is the preferred form of burial for practicing Christians, Jews, Muslims and Buddhists around the world, bringing a true return to the belief that of dust we were created and dust we shall return. Perhaps a molecule from your body will end up in a berry that a bird eats.
LINKS
- Natural Casket Selection
- Pre-Planning a Funeral
- General Pricing
- Cemetery Price List
- Marker Pricing
- Aboutnaturalburialcompany.com
- alternativefuneralmonitor.com
