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Green Burial

Green Burial

While many of us aim to make eco-friendly choices in our day-to-day lives, we may be unaware we have greener options for after-death arrangements. What we now call green burial was standard practice through much of human history. Families, faith communities, and most cultures cared for their own dead. The deceased were placed in simple wood caskets or natural-fiber shrouds and then directly into the soil. Our cremation or burial arrangements are the final statement we make on this earth. We encourage you to think about the legacy you want to leave your loved ones and future generations.

People’s Memorial has been a leader in making simpler, greener, and more natural options available. People's Memorial contracts with one green cemetery and two funeral homes. Members receive a 15% discount off home funerals, green burial plots, services, and merchandise from these providers.

Cemeteries

The Meadow Natural Burial Ground (Ferndale)

The Meadow Natural Burial Ground, founded in 2009, was the first certified natural burial ground in Washington State and is part of Moles Greenacres Memorial Park in Ferndale. Each natural burial adds to the restoration of The Meadow’s native ecosystem. A “guild” of three harmonious native plants—a tree, a shrub, or groundcover—can be planted at the gravesite in memory of the deceased. Engraved river rocks are also available for memorialization.

Funeral Homes

Both of our contracted funeral homes offering green options offset the carbon produced by each cremation by investing in wind and solar energy through the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, a Northwest nonprofit. It also plants a tree in honor of each person served through American Forests.

The Co-op Funeral Home of People's Memorial (Seattle)

A Sacred Moment (Everett and Seattle)

Additional Green Providers in Washington

White Eagle Nature Preserve Cemetery at Ekone Ranch (Goldendale)
The White Eagle Nature Preserve Cemetery at Ekone Ranch is a certified conservation burial ground situated near the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Opened in 2008, its 20 acres are set within 1,100 permanently protected acres of oaks, ponderosa pines, and meadow. It is the only wilderness cemetery in the country. Wildlife includes deer, eagles, and the occasional bear.

Burial sites are spacious, about 20 by 20 feet, each comprising a little ecosystem. One can get acquainted with a site while still alive, in order to know what will be nourished after passing on.

Cedar Lawn Green Cemetery (Redmond)
A special section of a traditional cemetery

Greenwood Memorial Terrace and Riverside Memorial Park (Spokane)
Natural burial grounds sections within existing cemeteries

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