In 1996 Billy Campbell founded Memorial Eco Systems. Its goal is to establish memorial parks that will save and restore wild lands. He also opened Ramsey Creek Preserve just outside Westminster South Carolina, the Nations first commercial green cemetery. "The Ramsey Creek Preserve is a nature preserve, dedicated to restoring and maintaining a home for native plants and animals. At Memorial Ecosystems, we think that maintaining and restoring this natural native beauty is the most important monument to the memory of loved ones that families can help create." From Memorial Eco Systems, www.memorialecosystems.com . The cost of a burial plot at Ramsey Creek will be about $2000.00, a site for cremated remains about $500.00.You can find sources to purchase cardboard caskets online, they range in price from around $50.00 to several hundred.
Since that time several other green cemeteries have opened around the country, with several others in the process. Those that have gone through this process found it to be a therapeutic and a loving experience. Personal involvement in the death process shows respect and honor to those we love that have passed.
An Overview of the Procedure
Contrary to what most believe, the body does not turn white nor start to decompose instantly. A body can lie in state for up to three days maybe even longer if kept cool and prepared properly. In cases where family members may need time to get there for the funeral, you may want to talk to the hospital or local funeral home to see if the body can be kept there in refrigeration for a day or so. Otherwise the body should be kept in a cool room, turn on the air conditioner if possible. Cover the body with a thin sheet, not a blanket. The body and hair should be well washed with soap and water. Fragrant herbs or perfumes can be added to the final wash. The abdomen needs to be pressed on to expel any waste. Gloves should be worn during all procedures. It is best to place the body on some type of table for washing. If you must use a bed make sure it is covered with plastic. The materials used should be disposed of properly. You may want to check locally and see what the regulations are for disposing of this type of material. The next step is to put the Shroud or clothing on the body. Once that is done, ice (preferably dry) should be wrapped in a paper bag and then clothe and placed under the torso of the body. The organs are the first to decompose so they must be kept cool. If the eyes are open, close them and place small bags of rice or sand on them. If the mouth is open, close the mouth and hold it in place with a scarf or ribbon until it sets. Rigor mortis generally sets in somewhere between three and eight hours, and lasts for around thirty-six hours. You should keep this in mind and prepare the body beforehand, although rigor mortis can be somewhat relieved by massage.
The type of funeral rite used is a very personal decision. Family members may wish to keep the rite as simple as each sharing special memories of their loved one. While others may prefer a member of the clergy perform the last rites. If a casket is used for burial the family members may choose to decorate it in someway.
There are many excellent books on the subject of funeral rites from a Pagan perspective, "The Pagan Book of Living and Dying", by Starhawk, is just one of many books available on the subject.
In summary, green burial has several factors in its favor compared to traditional burial:
� more environmentally friendly
� more affordable
� uses the nutrients in the body to establish new growth
� is a way of remembering our loved ones by creating a sense of permanence in the form of a forest, where people can go enjoy nature and remember those who are buried there.
Web Sites
www.finalpassages.org - Final passages
www.fullcirclecare.org
www.funerals.org
www.humboldt.edu/~recycle
www.immarama.faithweb.com
www.motherearthnews.com
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3076642/
www.newsmedia.com/spring99/dying.html
www.funeralethics.org/directory.htm
www.memorialecosystems.com
Books
Kubler-Ross Elisabeth - o�n Death and Dying
Starhawk - The Pagan Book of Living and Dying
Rich Deborah K. � San Francisco Chronicle, March, 2003
Memorial Eco Systems- Funeral Ethics Organization- The News Media- MSNBC - Mother Earth News- A NeoPagan Natural burial- Humboldt University- Funeral Consumers Alliance- Full C
Copyright � Willow 2005