As we transition from mud-season to spring it's a hard not to notice the ground is wet. But, what does soggy ground mean for natural burial?

The answer is not much. Dead bodies are not a health or environmental hazard (except in five cases, including death from Ebola, when natural burial is not an option)- so long as they are not buried directly in a drinking water supply, something the state of Vermont has very comprehensive guidelines to prevent. Still, burial in soggy ground can feel disconcerting. When burial takes place and the ground is wet, there are numerous ways to minimize water seeping into the grave itself during burial. These include where graves are dug, the angle they are dug, and using biomass to create a layer between the bottom of the grave and wet soil. Ultimately, the water plays a role in natural burial by keeping soil healthy so that it can break down bodies and efficiently distribute their nutrients. The wonderful thing about a burial process that works with the soil's natural process of decomposition is that we truly can bury all year round and in any weather conditions.

Please help us to keep spreading the word about Vermont Natural Burial! Her on our website you can read past newsletters, join our mailing list, and keep up to date with all of the developments at the cemetery. If you have questions about natural burial or our cemetery we'd love to hear them. Please email us: info@vermontnaturalburial.ogr- Maybe you'll even find your answer in our next newsletter.

Thank you,

The Vermont Natural Burial Team