‘Green Cemetery’ In Colorado Lets The Dearly Departed Return To Nature

Image via Colorado Burial Preserve

All that Earth nourishes gives back to it—it’s what they call the circle of life. A crop of cemeteries is carrying this notion into the afterlife.

As reported by Rocky Mountain PBS, the Colorado Burial Preserve is one of these “green cemeteries” and the state’s first site fully dedicated to the concept. What are green cemeteries, you ask? These replace modern resting spots like coffins and urns, and invite clients to be part of the natural landscape, meaning they return to the source and decay at a natural pace.

The Colorado Burial Preserve, spanning five acres of land that used to cover a range and livestock ranch, is a reminder of new beginnings with its lush prairie grasses, wildflowers, juniper, and pinyon trees. Its visitors and residents include local deer and birds, who are fulfilled by the abundance that the flora provides.

Image via Colorado Burial Preserve

There’s something innate about calling a picturesque meadow your forever home—even more so when the process forgoes techniques like embalming. Clients have the option of being fully buried underneath, sans additional materials, or wrapped in biodegradable fabric or a wooden box. As this method doesn’t require lacquer or embalming fluids, it’s friendly on the environment.

The site’s owner Emily Miller, who started Colorado Burial Preserve about a year ago, acknowledges that green burials aren’t as profitable since they don’t include the add-ons of caskets and tombs. However, she insists that she doesn’t see her work as just a business.

Natural cemeteries aren’t exclusive to Colorado. Bloomberg Law reported on Friday that New York State has just passed a bill to legalize human composting. It was an incredible 61-2 vote by the state Senate, which was followed by a 98-52 pass by the Assembly. This will be included in legislation in about three months if Governor Kathy Hochul signs the bill. Washington State and Oregon have also passed similar bills.

Miller’s next step is to create hiking trails, as well as a welcome center, from the natural burial grounds.

[via Rocky Mountain PBS and Bloomberg Law, images via Colorado Burial Preserve]