Date post: | 16-Dec-2015 |
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Natural BurialWEST LAUREL HILL CEMETERY
225 Belmont Avenue ∙ Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
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West Laurel Hill CemeteryFounded in 1869 as non-denominational cemetery
187 acres
Cemetery, Crematory and Funeral Home
Listed on National Register of Historic Places
Sister Cemetery to Laurel Hill (1836), National Historic Landmark
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What is Natural Burial?No embalmingNo outer burial containersNo metal caskets (wood caskets, shrouds, wicker permitted)No traditional monumentsNatural grave decorations onlyNo herbicides/pesticides usedOnly indigenous plantings
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Motivations for Establishing Nature’s Sanctuary
WLHC tradition of progressive thinkingLocal leadership invested in our community/environmentCertified ArboretumIncreasing interest/demand
◦ 2008 Survey by funeral industry publishers Kates-Boylston Publications found 43% of respondents said they would consider a green burial (up from 21% AARP study from 2007)*
Original Specifications for Nature’s Sanctuary
• 1 Acre
• 4’ Depth
• Lowering by hand
• Graves hand-dug with family request; family may participate
• No artificial greens or flowers
• Indigenous plantings
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Nature’s Sanctuary Purchases by Age
50-below 51-60 61-70 71-80 81-90 91-up
1213
19
16
12
1
Estimated 44% of properties purchased by Baby Boomers (age 51-69)
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Public Response• Press
• 26 burials (as of 3/1/2015)
• 32 additional spaces purchased (as of 3/1/2015)
• Enthusiastic Family Response/Participation
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Nature’s Sanctuary Restoration Project
Begun in 2014
New Direction-Assisted Ecological Succession
In
Nat
ure’s Sa
nct
uary, t
he i
nte
nt
of t
he
nat
ural
burial area is t
o
pla
n t
owar
ds
per
pet
ual care
by
nat
ure, rat
her t
ha
n a la
wnmower.
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Nature’s Sanctuary Restoration Project
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Scheduled Improvements
Protection of Existing graves &trees Installation of Path System
Use of goats to eradicate low growth invasives surrounding the site
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The Future