Green

Natural burial (aka Green Burial) is the interment of the body of a dead person in the soil in a manner that does not inhibit decomposition but allows the body to recycle naturally.  It is an alternative to other contemporary burial methods.

We at Dimiceli & Sons have had the privilege of conducting our first Green Burial in March of this year at Greensprings Natural Cemetery Preserve in Newfield, New York.

Greensprings offers ecologically sound burial options and a natural return to the earth—simple, affordable, and respectful of the human spirit.

an idea
that you can give in death, as you do in life, for the people and things you love. Through natural burial at Greensprings, you create a legacy of enduring stewardship and renewal for generations to come.

a place
one hundred acres of rolling hilltop meadows south of Cayuga Lake in New York’s lovely Finger Lakes region. Greensprings is bounded by 4,000-acre Arnot Forest and 4,000-acre Newfield State Forest.

a difference
Greensprings offers a sustainable alternative to conventional cemeteries—a place of meadows and woodlands, of solace and natural beauty.

Of course there are other cemeteries which might be more convenient for you and your family.  I’ll name just a few.

“Riverview Natural Burial Grounds”, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery has become part of a very small and elite group of burial places in the country, which afford the deceased a “natural” or “green” burial option.

To fully grasp the timeliness of this offering, one only has to look at current societal trends toward environmental conservation. This “sleepy” place is an industry leader in reconciling the desire to create a harmonious relationship between people and nature.

In simple terms, traditional burial would usually involve the use of chemical embalming, treated wood or metal caskets, metal or concrete casket liners, and a host of other manmade materials. In contrast, the Riverview Natural Burial Grounds is a sustainable space. No inorganic fertilizers or pesticides are used on this land. There is no embalming. Only untreated biodegradable, natural materials may be used in the construction of the casket or shroud. Even cremation urns must be fabricated of organic materials such as corn starch, salt, or untreated woods.

The Riverview Natural Burial Grounds overlooks the waters of the Pocantico River, which meander gently just a few steps away. These untouched grounds provide a varied natural terrain.

The Riverview Natural Burial Grounds is the perfect choice for those who seek an environmentally responsible option for the burial of a loved one, or for themselves.

Maryrest Cemetery & Mausoleum – Mahwah, NJ

Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Newark is pleased to announce the opening of New Jersey's first Catholic Natural/Green Burial Section at Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah.

The wild flowers and naturally occurring flora create a peaceful and serene setting for our Catholic Families that prefer an "Eco – friendly Memorial" or for those who may want an alternative to "cremation". 

The Natural Burial Section has been developed to accommodate three shades of green:

• Dark Green – are those who prefer to be buried in a burial shroud.
• Medium Green – are those who prefer a natural biodegradable casket and want some type of memorialization.
• Light Green – are those who prefer a natural biodegradable casket, some type of memorialization and embalming using natural embalming fluids.

The natural burial section at Maryrest offers families a "Living Memorial" in an undisturbed setting. Boulder memorialization is utilized to keep this area free of manufactured headstones. Pathway visitation is used to keep the plant and animal life thriving and undisturbed.

 For committal services, a beautiful rustic Amish Gazebo overlooks the entire area.