The Herland Forest Natural Burial Cemetery

04/22/2022

https://www.herlandforest.org/death-in-a-living-forest/

natural burial in a living forest %

10/02/2021

A key goal of our natural organic reduction process is to create compost that is optimized for delivering essential nutrients to plants and trees. That involves operating the process in a way which breaks down the remains, not just to the point where the remains are no longer visible to the naked eye, but to continue the process down towards the atomic level....

A key goal of our natural organic reduction process is to create compost that is optimized for delivering essential nutrients to plants and trees. That involves operating the process in a way which breaks down the remains, not just to … Continued

08/30/2021

A key step in the natural organic reduction process comes at the very end. A gallon sample of the compost is sent off to a certified lab for analysis to determine its heavy-metal content and whether e.coli bacteria are present. If the results show that the material is safe to use, then the reduction process is complete, and the reduced remains can be released to the family. ...

A key step in the natural organic reduction process comes at the very end. A gallon sample of the compost is sent off to a certified lab for analysis to determine its heavy-metal content and whether e.coli bacteria are present. … Continued

08/04/2021

One of the delights of the Portland area is Willamette Week, an alternative newspaper that covers the city's cultural resources. Currently, they're doing a series on the best place in the Portland area to do all sort of things. We were totally delighted when they selected the Herland Forest as the best place in the Portland area to be buried! Here's a link to the delightful article by Anthony Effinger.

One of the delights of the Portland area is Willamette Week, an alternative newspaper that covers the city’s cultural resources. Currently, they’re doing a series on the best place in the Portland area to do all sort of things. We … Continued

07/21/2021

In July of 2020, Herland Forest became the first facility in the country to be licensed to perform the natural organic reduction of human remains. In December, we began the first reduction, and incorporated what we learned into the design of the second cradle. As soon as the second cradle was put into use, we started building the third cradle, and so on....

12/27/2020

The term investment refers to the process of placing someone's remains into a natural organic reduction vessel encased in the organic matter and organisms needed to transform the remains into soil. It's similar to how the term investment is used in lost-wax investment casting, a process in which a worn out piece of jewelry is recast into a new form. …...

The term investment refers to the process of placing someone’s remains into a natural organic reduction vessel encased in the organic matter and organisms needed to transform the remains into soil. It’s similar to how the term investment is used … Continued

12/16/2020

Herland Forest is different. Instead of rows of graves, you'll find resting places that are tucked away in forest clearings. Instead of cramped burials where people are squeezed together, Herland Forest is open and vibrant with life. Located right at the point where western firs give way to eastern pines, Herland Forest is home to a diverse ecology, and we're working to make it ever more diverse....

Herland Forest is different. Instead of rows of graves, you’ll find resting places that are tucked away in forest clearings. Instead of cramped burials where people are squeezed together, Herland Forest is open and vibrant with life. Located right at … Continued

11/10/2020

Late summer is a stressful time for a forest. That's especially true for a forest that evolved to survive the wild fires started by the August thunderstorms. When a thunderstorm comes through, it's common to see hundreds of lighting strikes, each of which has the capacity to kindle a wildfire. Before human intervention, wildfires would sweep through a forest every few years and clear out the dead wood lying on the forest floor. [ 346 more words ]

Late summer is a stressful time for a forest. That’s especially true for a forest that evolved to survive the wild fires started by the August thunderstorms. When a thunderstorm comes through, it’s common to see hundreds of lighting strikes, … Continued

08/10/2020

Want to be buried on your own land? We can help. Herland Forest is pleased to announce that it has been granted a license by Washington state to operate the country's first natural organic reduction facility. It's been an interesting journey, so let me take you back to the beginning. We were surprised when we got a call from Portland's KOIN6-TV. [ 729 more words ]

Want to be buried on your own land? We can help. Herland Forest is pleased to announce that it has been granted a license by Washington state to operate the country’s first natural organic reduction facility. It’s been an interesting … Continued

05/14/2020

tending a bed of lavendersurrounding a weeping cherry tree A key goal of the Herland Forest is to help people spend time near their loved one; to craft a private place where they can come to enjoy the beauty of nature in a living memorial to love and devotion; to tend to the flowers and trees that show that, while someone may have passed over, they are not forgotten. [ 270 more words ]

A key goal of the Herland Forest is to help people spend time near their loved one; to craft a private place where they can come to enjoy the beauty of nature in a living memorial to love and devotion; … Continued

04/15/2020

The Herland Forest natural burial cemetery is an exploration of the role of death in the circle of life. In winter, the separation between life and death can be very thin, but in spring, life returns with vigor; the tree buds swell, the wildflowers start to carpet the forest floor, and there are babies everywhere. Herland is a permaculture forest that's being intentionally developed to meet the needs of the birds, bees, animals and people who make it their home. [ 146 more words ]

The Herland Forest natural burial cemetery is an exploration of the role of death in the circle of life. In winter, the separation between life and death can be very thin, but in spring, life returns with vigor; the tree … Continued

04/03/2020

On the first day in April, folks are on the lookout for tricks and surprises. When I opened my door, expecting to enjoy a spring morning in the Herland Forest, I was surprised to find two inches of snow on my doorstep. Driving snow had covered everything, and it didn't look like spring at all. It wasn't deep enough to pose a problem other than the temptation to head back inside and linger over another cup of coffee, but it caused us concern for the flowers and buds that had been seduced into life by an unseasonably warm March. [ 72 more words ]

On the first day in April, folks are on the lookout for tricks and surprises. When I opened my door, expecting to enjoy a spring morning in the Herland Forest, I was surprised to find two inches of snow on … Continued