A new law in Vermont is encouraging people to think about “green burials,” which have no casket, embalming fluid or even cemetery, says the Burlington Free Press:
A state law passed this year releases public cemeteries from constraints such as fencing and formal demarcation of grave sites, and allows the establishment of “natural burial grounds,” maintained through “ecological land management practices.” On such grounds, memorials to humans might simply be identified by coordinates on a GPS device, according to state guidelines.
That could leave ample opportunity to develop wildlife habitat, low-impact recreational trails, and land for bird-watching, picnics and even weddings, Anderson said.
Interesting idea, I think. I have hear this idea proposed as a way to keep land out of development, since laws against disturbing human remains are often stronger than laws about conservation easements.
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