How we're cared for after we die can be one last expression of who we are and what we love. Many of us try to live gently on this planet, and green burial offers a way to return to the earth just as gently.

Yet most of us were never told we had choices.

When someone dies, a funeral home is usually called, and the decision comes down to burial or cremation, often made quickly and in grief.

Many people choose cremation believing it's the gentler option for the earth, but it does have a real environmental cost. A single cremation burns large amounts of fuel and can release around 500 pounds of carbon dioxide, along with mercury and other pollutants, into the air we all share. Conventional burial carries its own burden of embalming chemicals, concrete vaults, and manicured lawns.

There are other paths, and knowing about them now gives you and the people you love the freedom to choose with intention.

EVENT DETAILS:

When: Saturday, Nov 21, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Where: Cool Spring Cemetery at Holy Cross Abbey
901 Cool Spring Lane
Berryville, VA
*nestled along the Shenandoah River at the foot of Mt. Weather
Cost: $75

What we'll do together

We'll begin with an hour of learning about green burial and other natural options for after-death care, including what makes a burial "green," how it differs from conventional burial and cremation, and what alternatives may be available to you. Then we'll walk the grounds of Cool Spring Cemetery at Holy Cross Abbey together, so you can see what natural burial looks like up close, ask your questions, and reflect on the legacy you want to leave for the land and the people you love.

Who should come

This gathering is for anyone who loves the natural world and wonders how their final wishes might honor it, anyone who has started thinking about their own after-death care and isn't sure where to begin, and anyone who has cared for someone at the end of life and wants to understand what's possible. You're welcome to bring a friend, a partner, or a family member. These are conversations best had in good company.

Photo Credit:
Cover Image: Blue Ridge Meadow at Cool Spring Cemetery

Additional photos courtesy of Green Burial Council