Break On Through To the Other Side: Slip Sliding Into the Ground Isn’t a Bad Idea Either
A lot of people like the idea of returning to dust, as they say in the Bible. Even more people like the idea of becoming one with the earth, nourishing it. I have a friend who wants to be buried beneath an apple tree on her farm so future generations can have a bite of her each summer. There’s a joke there, I’m just not sure where.
Did You Know…
- While preplanning is wise, especially with something that can be as costly as a traditional funeral, prepayment is fraught with traps for the unwary.
- Some preneed plans will not reimburse your money in full if you change your mind.
- Some preneed plans are only required to provide like services for those contracted.
- Every state has different guidelines. Do your research and check with the Better Business Bureau.
- In the UK visit Citizens Advice http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
Notes & Updates
NEW GREEN BURIAL IN VA! Forest Rest Natural Cemetery, a green burial
option located at Mountain View Memorial Park in Boones Mill (south of Roanoke 15 miles) www.forestrestnaturalcemetery.com
Good news for Virginia veterans who want to be buried in a state-run veteran cemetery. A new Virginia law says that burial vaults (which can run in the thousands of dollars) will be provided at cost to eligible veterans and their family members.
Veteran burial benefits kit can be downloaded here https://www.cem.va.gov/cem/docs/factsheets/Planning_Legacy_Booklet.pdf
Interesting information about funeral flowers! http://www.memorialsofdistinction.co.uk/the-definitive-guide-to-funeral-flowers
If a link is broken, please let me know by sending an email to information@deathforbeginners.com
The websites for goods and services are offered for your interest and exploration. The the act of posting them here is not an endorsement. There are some “goods and services” sites with whom I have had positive interaction and these sites are noted by the following: !!!
Traditional Burial
- Find A Grave UK included! FindAGrave.com
- The Department of Veterans Affairs https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/
- AARP.ORG https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-2017/funeral-payment-options-fd.html
- The Federal Trade Commission http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/search/site/funerals
- National Funeral Directors Association http://www.nfda.org/news/statistics
- The Grave of Florence Irene Ford https://www.atlasobscura.com/things-to-do/natchez-mississippi
Green or Natural Burial
- “The Meadow” http://www.themeadowlexingtonva.com/index.html A natural burial ground just ousdie of Lexington VA
- Natural Burial Org!!! http://www.naturalburial.org
- The White Eagle Memorial Preserve !!!http://www.naturalburial.org
- Grave Matters: Embalming www.gravematters.us
- Grave Matters: Natural Cemeteries http://grave-matters.blogspot.com/2008/08/newest-natural-cemeteries.html
- Green Burial Council !!! http://greenburialcouncil.org
- Memorial Ecosystems !!! http://www.memorialecosystems.com/ConservationBurial/tabid/110/Default.aspx
- The Natural Burial Company http://www.naturalburialcompany.com/
- Talkdeath.com A terrific site that gives good information on green burial and provides useful links. http://www.talkdeath.com/environmental-impact-funerals-infographic/
Books
- The Green Burial Guidebook: Everything You Need to Plan an Affordable, Environmentally Friendly Burial Paperback by Elizabeth Fournier, (New World Library, May 15, 2018)
- Reimagining Death: Stories and Practical Wisdom for Home Funerals and Green Burials by Lucinda Herring, (North Atlantic Books, January 8, 2019)
- The Green Burial Movement by Marisa Gonzales, (LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, April 18, 2014)
- Changing Landscapes: Exploring the growth of ethical, compassionate, and environmentally sustainable green funeral practices by Lee Webster (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1st edition, January 12, 2017)
Burial at Sea
- United States Navy Mortuary Affairs Burial At Sea Programhttps://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/eligibility/burial-at-sea/
- Environmental Protection Agency – Region 4 & links to other Regions https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumping/burial-sea
- New England Burial at Sea: Sea Shroud !!!
http://www.newenglandburialsatsea.com/burials-at-sea/atlantic-sea-burial-shroud/ - Sea Services maritime funeral provider http://www.seaservices.com
- List of religions and their views of sea burial https://www.seaservices.com/religious-views.htm
- UK Burial at sea information http://www.funeralhelper.org/burial-at-sea-information.html
Home Burial
- Death Midwife !!! https://deathmidwife.org
- National Home Funeral Alliance https://www.homefuneralalliance.org/state-requirements.html
- Funeral Consumers Alliance https://funerals.org/?consumers=how-to-arrange-a-home-funeral
- Crossings http://www.crossings.net/index.html
- Home Funeral Directory https://www.legacy.com/funeral-homes/
- “A Family Undertaking” https://www.pbs.org/pov/afamilyundertaking/
Alternative Burial
- Summum’s Mummification of Transference http://www.summum.org/mummification/
Preneed
