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Glendale Memorial
Nature Preserve
30 Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is Glendale Memorial Nature Preserve? Is it a cemetery? Glendale Memorial Nature Preserve is a calm and serene 350-acre area composed of fields, creeks, ponds, and woods. A portion of the preserve, about 70 acres, has been set aside as a cemetery, or memorial park. Together, the cemetery and preserve provide a restful, natural setting for those who love the earth, seek alternatives to contemporary burial practices, and want to continue their stewardship of nature beyond their lifetime. 2. But why have a cemetery in a nature preserve? Cemeteries are cultural essentials. Yet most require intensive upkeep; mowing, trimming, pesticide sprays, and the like. Instead of investing in concrete vaults and maintenance funds for somber rows of stones, Glendale's clients are investing in saving land and restoring habitat. They are providing a peaceful, lovely place where others can come to remember those they have honored and loved. 3. May pets be buried at Glendale Nature Preserve? Yes. They can be buried within your own, designated, family space. Most of us survive our pets, and at GNP you have the peace of mind that you can be re-united in the future. 4. Is it legal to be buried at Glendale? Yes. Glendale Nature Preserve Inc. is a tax exempt (I.R.S. 501 (c) (13) non-profit organization chartered in 2002. 5. Will Glendale be restoring damaged ecosystems? Yes. Each time a burial takes place it affords us the opportunity to remove any invasive plants and plant native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. 6. How many graves are allowed at Glendale? Between 30 and 100 burials per acre, depending upon the location within the preserve. (Contemporary cemeteries bury 800 to 3,000 people per acre.) 7. Are gravestones or markers allowed at Glendale? Yes, though they must be flat rocks. Memorial preserves generally require that gravestones are naturally occurring stones from the local area, but our area has very few native stones. We have collected some and will continue searching for more. We also encourage our clients to find their own natural stones. Flat, natural (uncut and unpolished) stone can also be purchased from a stone dealer and inscribed. If you prefer, you may plant a NATIVE tree, shrub, or flower as a living monument. In keeping with the natural fauna and flora, no artificial flowers, vases, or other decorations may be placed at the gravesites. Please keep in mind that we use "controlled burns" for grounds maintenance like nature did before white man and Smokey the bear showed up. 8. Is it possible to just have a tree or shrub planted on my grave? Without a head-stone? I like that idea. Is this allowed? Yes. 9. How will my chosen, pre-assigned plot be identified? We provide you with two, inscribed, non-corrosive, metal markers; one which is placed in the ground at the site and the other which you keep until time of need. 10. How will my descendants find my burial site? We will be mapping every burial site using Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping technology, and can also show you how to use GPS (Global Positioning System) to locate a grave. We also map each site using conventional surveying methods with permanent labeled posts. Compass and tape measure provide a low-tech back-up. A metal detector can also locate the marker. 11. Is embalming allowed? No. We promote traditional burials – green burials – that avoid the use of toxic materials. 12. What about steel-lined caskets and concrete vaults? No. People and families are investing in saving land, not in buried hardware and the unnecessary waste of resources. 13. What about health concerns? Can't diseases be spread if no embalming is allowed? Embalming fluid is a disinfectant, but doesn't kill all the germs. It even preserves the agents that cause mad cow disease. It's also linked to health risks for embalmers: statistically, they are more likely to die from arteriosclerotic heart disease, leukemia, and colon and prostate cancer. They are also at risk from tuberculosis and perhaps other infections. Most infectious disease agents (including HIV and Ebola) die soon after the person dies unless the body is frozen. 14. But doesn't the law say you have to embalm? Not if burial happens within 24 hours of death. After 24 hours, the law requires refrigeration. Turning the home AC to the coldest setting, freezer gel-packs, or dry ice all qualify as refrigeration; and many funeral homes have refrigeration units. If the person has died of certain infectious diseases, consult with your doctor. 15. How do you protect the watershed in a memorial nature preserve? The same way we'd protect it from any other sort of human or animal waste, by helping nature do the job. In fact, wells only need to be 150 feet from burial grounds, although at GNP we allow many times that amount. We also site graves an appropriate distance (depending on the hydrology of the site) from moving water, then let nature do the rest. Studies have repeatedly tested and confirmed the natural detoxifying and filtering effect of soil and vegetation. 16. May we hold funeral or memorial services at Glendale? Yes. We have an area set aside for services, a non-denominational chapel near the burial area. The chapel is also available for weddings or community services. 17. May families and friends help plan services? Yes. While many people will appreciate the help of a funeral director, some may wish to handle the arrangements themselves, and that's perfectly legal in Florida. (You will need to file a death certificate and obtain a burial-transit permit.) 18. May we prepare the site, or even dig the grave? Yes. Whether it's digging the grave, bringing the casket to the grave, lowering it, or filling in the grave, we welcome your participation. Taking an active part in the burial process is known to shorten the grieving process. 19. May we bury or scatter ashes at Glendale? Yes. Although we prefer that families bury ashes, we have areas set aside specifically for scattering cremated remains. 20. Is Glendale also meant for other nature-related activities? Hiking? Bird watching? Yes. At least 80 percent of the land will never have graves, and the portions that do are areas that were formerly farmed or logged. The loveliest and wildest areas will always be kept grave-free, and have trails winding through them. We also encourage ecological research and education at Glendale. 21. What if some strangers who are out hiking disturb our funeral service? The preserve's steward will post signs and block certain trails if a funeral or memorial service is scheduled. 22. How does the cost of burial at Glendale compare to that of a conventional burial? Contemporary cemeteries charge less for burial sites, but you're only getting a plot about eight feet by three feet (under 25 square feet) which you may need to share if you opt for double or triple-decker companion plots. Because we don't allow embalming, concrete vaults, and the like, the total cost for burial at Glendale is only a fraction of the cost of a conventional burial, and your burial plot will have room even for your pets. 23. What other costs are associated with burial? The services of a funeral director, if you decide you need one. (The State of Florida does not require a funeral director's services.) You may also feel you need a casket. You can buy a casket from Glendale Enterprises, our neighbor and our very first sponsor (see http://www.velvetbean.com/caskets) made on the premises at cost or near cost using their native woods and their on-site sawmill. What an ecological coup! Or you can hire a local woodworker or build one yourself. (Wooden caskets should be made from sustainably harvested native trees.) 24. Is it legal to bury someone in a shroud? Yes. Or in a favorite blanket, quilt, and even in traditional, woven willow. 25. Can someone be buried in the wilderness part of the preserve? No. 26. Can I buy a plot in advance? Glendale Nature Preserve is a non-profit organization and we cannot sell pieces of it, but we do assign plots in advance, and map and mark them in your name. Contact us for the details. 27. Can I switch to a different memorial nature preserve if I move? Yes. GNP is the second memorial nature preserve in the United States and is part of a growing national movement to protect and restore land through memorializing those who have died. The first, Ramsey Creek Memorial Nature Preserve, is located in Westminster, South Carolina. Preserves are in the planning stages in Wisconsin, California, Ohio, and New York. See the Memorial Ecosystems site 28. How will Glendale Memorial Nature Preserve protect the land (and the grave sites) forever? We have a perpetual maintenance trust fund for this purpose. 29. How can I obtain more information? You can reach us by mail, email, or telephone. 30. The Bottom Line: Costs The plots are free. Costs involving labor are outlined on our printable price-list: http://www.glendalenaturepreserve.org/pricelist_p.html or simply email or telephone us. Donations to the Care and Maintenance Fund are greatly appreciated. You can use PayPal via our email address, or via a check or money order to our physical address. Glendale Memorial Nature Preserve 297 Railroad Avenue DeFuniak Springs Florida 32433 Telephone: (850) 859 2141 |