A growing interest in natural burial will be the focus of a free public event Thursday, October 16, at the Big Picture Theater in Waitsfield.
Hosted by the Mad River Valley Cemetery Commissions, the event will feature a screening of the short documentary “From Earth to Earth,” followed by a community conversation about natural burial practices and their increasing appeal in Vermont.
The 20-minute film, which begins at 5 p.m., tells the story of how natural burial became legal in Vermont and highlights the experiences of individuals and communities embracing the practice. After the screening, a panel discussion and Q&A will include Michelle Acciavatti, founder of Vermont Forest Cemetery – the state’s first conservation cemetery in Roxbury – and the cemetery’s president and outreach coordinator, Jim Hogle. Members of the local cemetery commissions will also be on hand to discuss current and future burial options in area cemeteries.
Natural burial, also known as green burial, is a return to burial practices used for centuries before the rise of embalming and concrete vaults. The process involves burying a body in a biodegradable container or shroud, without embalming, allowing for natural decomposition and minimal environmental impact.
“Natural burial reflects a deep desire people have to return to the earth simply and gently,” said Robin McDermott, a member of the Waitsfield Cemetery Commission. “It’s both an environmental choice and a personal one. Many families are drawn to it because it aligns with their values.”
McDermott noted that embalming became common during the Civil War to preserve soldiers’ bodies for transport, while vaults were later introduced primarily for ease of cemetery maintenance – not for environmental or health reasons. Today’s conventional burials often include embalming fluids, metal caskets, and concrete vaults, which use considerable resources and can introduce chemicals into the soil.
By contrast, natural burial avoids those materials, instead focusing on sustainability and simplicity.’
“Here in the Mad River Valley, Waitsfield already allows natural burial, and other towns are beginning to explore how they can offer this option,” McDermott said. “We’re seeing more interest from people who are thinking ahead about their own choices or making plans for loved ones.”
The event is designed to educate the public about these evolving practices and to support more widespread access to green burial in the region.
Doors open at 4:45 p.m. The event is free and open to all.
You might also like
