Natural Burial Grounds Becoming Popular
By: Mike Webster, WCSH
LIMINGTON (NEWS CENTER) — With all the talk about global warming, going green has become a way of life for many of us. Now, people in Maine can even go “out” green — and spend eternity in a natural resting place.
Peter McHugh has worked on his 147 acre tree farm for a quarter of a century. He loves the tranquility of his forest and sees it as a fitting final resting place, and he is not alone.
Peter McHugh, from Cedar Brook Burial Ground, said, “I would say we get on average three or four inquiries a week. People come out and visit and look it over and decide yes here’s a spot I like.”
McHugh has taken just over two acres of his land and made it into Maine’s first green cemetery. There are no monuments or mausoleums, just simple stones to mark where a loved one’s remains have been interred.
“What better way to preserve the land in it’s natural state. These trees you see here today, someday will be harvested. I tell the people when they purchase a grave site that in time, not in my lifetime, but in time, these trees are gonna be harvested or they are gonna fall over and die. Better to utilize them than waste them,” said McHugh.
Cedar Brook Burial Ground is one of two green cemeteries in Maine. The other one is located just outside of Bangor, in the town of Orrington.
“There are probably a handful or more others throughout the country, and it is something that I believe is coming.”
There was already a small family plot on the land which dates back to the early 1800’s. A few weeks ago Cedar Brook had it’s first commercial burial service.
“We’re not laying it our on a grid, people come and pick a spot and that is their spot, it can be here, there or anywhere, and then that is recorded on the plan of the cemetery.”
Another thing that draws people to green burials is the lack of embalming chemicals and the ability to be buried in just a shroud or simple casket.
“Who needs a fancy casket, it is an ego trip for the family I think. The person who is in the box doesn’t…I don’t think it matters.”
McHugh says his father wanted a simple burial, but couldn’t when he was laid to rest in an established cemetery. He says creating his own burial ground has given him and others that choice.
“We still have the use of it as recreation and wildlife, it just seems to be a win-win situation.”
And when his time comes, Peter is at peace knowing he’ll still be a part of the land he’s loved for all these years.
McHugh says the cost of a green burial can be thousands less than for a traditional funeral. He says if a family does most of the work associated with the funeral, it could cost as little as $1,000, compared to a national average of $6,000 - $10,000.