Burial at Foxfield
Natural Burial Requirements
Foxfield Preserve is a Conservation Burial Ground certified by the Green Burial Council. We follow the Council’s Standards for natural burial and conservation of the land. These standards include no embalming with toxic chemicals, no vaults in the grave, and body or cremains containers made of natural or biodegradable materials. In cases where embalming is required, the use of nontoxic products approved by the Council must be used.
Graveside Preparation
For the burial service we clear a path to the grave site and cut vegetation from an area around the grave to accomodate the expected number of attendees. We dig the grave to a depth of 3.5-4 feet and lay a shallow bed of branches at the bottom of the grave to accept the body. The removed earth is mounded alongside the grave and decorated with greenery and flowers. Boards are placed across the top of the grave with lowering straps stretched across the boards to lower the body into the grave.
For a cremains burial, we dig a shallower grave, typically 18-24 inches depending on the urn size and shape. The rest of the gravesite preparation is similar to a body burial, except that boards and straps are not used.
Honor and Service
We encourage friends and family to honor their loved one in their own way. All ceremonies are welcome, including religious, military, and secular services. Our involvement in the burial service includes leading the procession to the cemetery, assisting any attendees that have mobility issues on uneven terrain to the gravesite using a golf cart or UTV, assisting pallbearers as needed in placing your loved one on top of the grave upon arriving at the cemetery and with the lowering of the container or shroud into the grave when the family is ready.
Closing the Grave
We are honored to hold space for your friends and family to participate in the closing of the grave. Depending on family preferences, this may include placing the greenery and flowers that are decorating the mound into the grave followed by a few handfuls or shovels of dirt, or closing the grave entirely. Families and friends are encouraged to stay at graveside for as long as they desire, but if Foxfield staff is closing the grave, we respectfully ask attendees to return to The Wilderness Center until we have finished so staff may be dismissed.
Restoration
After the grave is filled, the mound of soil atop the grave will settle with time and the grave will be covered with mulch by our staff. The graveside clearing will change over time, and a narrow footpath to the gravesite is maintained by our staff during the first growing season following the burial. During this initial restoration period, the family is invited to place a memorial stone and plant native trees and prairie plants to hasten restoration of the site. Nature will then begin to reclaim the site.
