CANTON
Imagine a man with a full
head of hair, but a short haircut… for the most part. On the top of his head, though, there sits a delineated
patch of tall, straight strands that have remained unscathed by scissor blades,
creating a Mohawk effect amidst more typical follicular terrain.
Now transfer this image to a
cemetery. Upon coming across the
Emerald Meadows green burial site at the North Lawn
Cemetery, a visitor could easily draw this analogy.
Its overgrown patch of grass
earmarked for natural burials is well defined by the action of a lawn mower
that passes regularly along its perimeter. Anyone conducting a study of contrasts would likely find
this envisage illuminating.
Immediately surrounding the margined tract is the archetypically groomed
landscape of traditional burial grounds.
Adjacent to the prairie-like tall grasses waving in the breezes are
flat, manicured lawns dotted by headstones.
Although this plot of land
is small relative to the cemetery grounds in general, plans for its use have met
with approval, prompting the granting of certification by the Green Burial
Council. To achieve such status,
operating principles must conform to standards set by the organization. That is, their established regulations
must be followed.
So when bodies or cremated
remains are buried here, they will be in biodegradable containers or wrappings
that are free of any manufactured materials such as metals and plastic. Embalming with toxic chemicals will
have been avoided. Mounds of dirt
will cover gravesites to compensate for settling in the absence of vaults or
liners. Optional grave markers
must be flat, natural stones. Placement
of artificial flowers and memorial objects is prohibited. Detailed guidelines will be followed to
maintain the natural essence of this circumscribed piece of property.
Next time you look at a man’s
head, think of the different ways there are in this world to “go natural.”
