Conservation Land Offers the Perfect Setting for Back-to-Nature Burials

A lot of initiatives are being taken to both preserve land and make end of life services more eco-friendly. North Carolina has come up with a way to meet both goals at once.

Conservation burial is a relatively new concept that is now available in western North Carolina. The Green Burial Council defines conservation burial ground as:

“Lands protected by a recognized conservation land trust entity where conservation principles are employed to support sustainable cemetery management practices while restoring and protecting the ecological integrity of the land.”

The Carolina Memorial Sanctuary, a conversation area and green cemetery in the Ashville metro, recently dedicated part of its land as a permanent conversation easement that can only be used for “back-to-nature” green burials and cremation memorials. The land donation guarantees part of the sanctuary will always remain a natural space for green burials and scattering ashes.

The 11-acre sanctuary offers a beautiful location that is relatively untouched. The Carolina Memorial Sanctuary is very cautious when it comes to end of life services. Any burials that take place on the conservation land must meet strict criteria. There must be no embalming fluid in the body and only biodegradable caskets are allowed.

Another interesting stipulation is that burials are only three feet deep. Using a shallower grave ensures that the plants above make use of the additional nutrients.