eco-friendly burial – End of Life University

Learn about the benefits of natural burial for loved ones and for the environment and how to get more information to plan your own natural burial.

About the guest:

My guest Dr. Basil Eldadah is the founder and executive director of Reflection Park Natural Burial Ground in Silver Spring, Maryland. Basil’s professional training is in internal medicine, clinical pharmacology, and neuroscience and he recently retired from a career in biomedical research. He shares his inspiration for starting a natural burial ground and why such alternatives are growing in popularity. Learn more at the website:

reflection park.org

Watch on YouTube

Listen here:

In this episode:

Why Dr. Eldadah started Reflection Park
The process of getting approval for a natural burial ground
Why some people resisted the creation of a natural burial ground over fears of impacting water quality
Research necessary before starting such a burial ground
How a natural burial differs from conventional burial
How participating in hands-on burial rituals helps with grief and connection to the loved one
Pre-planning for a natural burial is not necessary but helpful
Why they decided to allow burial of cremated remains
How Reflection Park helps make funerals and burials more affordable for those who cannot afford them
Natural burial is trending now as part of an interest in reclaiming death and burial as part of life
Green Burial Council website as a resource for people searching for natural burial sites and funeral homes
The Funeral Professionals Guide and other resources offered on the Reflection Park website

Links for this episode:

Resources

Frequently asked questions about natural burial
Green Burial Council website

Related episodes

Transcript

Basil Eldadah Interview Download

Learn why forests are the cemeteries of the future.

My guest Sandy Gibson is the co-founder and CEO of Better Place Forests, a sustainable alternative to traditional cemeteries for families who choose cremation. Sandy founded several companies and worked in finance and software before founding Better Place Forests. He shares how experiencing significant loss early in his life helped inspire him decide to reimagine cemeteries and make them good for the entire world. You’ll learn how you can find “your tree” and plan ahead for a sustainable, earth-friendly disposition after you die. Learn more about Better Place Forests at the website:

www.betterplaceforests.com

Listen here:

This episode includes:

How the idea for Better Place Forests came about.
Why it is important to reimagine cemeteries right now.
How Better Place Forests are intended to be places for families and communities to come together.
How the service works for those “at need” or those choosing a tree in advance.
What a “spreading ceremony” consists of
The importance of rituals at the end of life
Where Better Place Forests are located and may expand in the future
How Better Place is planting trees to offset the carbon footprint of fire cremation
Advice for people experiencing loss and grief at this time

Links mentioned in this episode:

Better Place Forests Resources for planning ahead for the end of life

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