BlueprintEvents

Jump aboard and catch the new wave. It’s creative, good for the environment, and an exciting return to an old tradition. On September 23rd and 25th, a groundbreaking two part lecture series was held at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens Auditorium.

Community members had an opportunity to learn about natural burial options and land conservation as well as a variety of choices in natural and at-home funeral practices that can support the wishes and needs of families.

Jill Kind, director of the Blueprint for Aging, says, “As adult children face the funerals of their parents and friends, the enormous significance of this event in our lives becomes more and more clear. Much has been written and spoken about death and dying, not as much about funeral and burial practices and options. This presentation gives the opportunity to consider what will be most meaningful for us and for our families. The Blueprint for Aging hopes to expand the discussion beyond what we have come to think of as a traditional funeral and burial practice and see if there are options that might more closely represent a broader range of beliefs and values.”

On the first night of the series, Joe Sehee, founder and executive director of the Green Burial Council, discussed sustainable burial practices and how Michigan’s land resources can be protected. Phil Moore, of the Upland Hills School and Upland Hills Farm in Oakland County, Michigan, discussed the relationship between conservation and community by explaining how Upland Hills has worked to bring their community together to embrace conservation and ecology in a variety of ways.

On the second night, Erika Nelson, MSW and licensed funeral director, discussed the reawakening of historically traditional practices of home funerals and natural death care. Along with the presentation, local residents spoke about their experiences participating in home funerals. The Threshold Choir, a women's choir devoted to providing their gift of song during life events, provided musical inspiration throughout the evening.

There was an overwhelmingly positive response to this lecture series. Attendees found the event to be informative, with the majority expressing interest in more public discussion about the topic.

Nearly all of the attendees are considering taking steps to ensure a more earth friendly burial for themselves or a loved one.

As one respondent said, “I’m not thinking concretely yet, but this was definitely a catalyst for starting to figure out how I feel about my death and the deaths of my loved ones”.

With the overwhelmingly positive responses, this is surely a topic worthy of more community discussion and education.

After You’re Gone:

Earth and Family Friendly Funerals and Burials