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:
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
Related episodes
- “The Natural Funeral” – Options for Disposition After Death with Seth Viddal
- Green Burial: A Will for the Woods with Amy Browne and Brian Wilson
- Terramation: A Green Option for Death Care with Micah Truman and Brie Smith
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- What Really Matters Podcast: How Do I Forgive Myself?
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