There are several options for eco-friendly burials and services to choose from at Countryside.
The options we will outline here are: Natural Burials, Biodegradable Urn Burials and Scattering of Cremated Remains.
Natural, Green Burial
One of the most widely embraced approaches is traditional natural, green burial, where the process is as simple and organic as returning directly to the earth. At its core, natural burial involves placing the body in the ground without the use of embalming fluids or any non-biodegradable materials. Typically, this means using a simple linen shroud or a biodegradable casket made from materials like wicker, bamboo, or untreated wood. You could even use a family heirloom blanket or quilt as a shroud, provided that it’s made of all natural fibers of cotton, wool, linen or silk.
When nothing synthetic impedes decomposition, the body gradually breaks down and enriches the soil—providing nutrients that support renewed life. For a visual representation of what we mean, here is an image from Countryside. You can clearly see the areas where the grass is especially lush and green. Those specific spots are graves. Natural burials have provided extra nutrients for the soil!
This creates the perfect ecological loop: life feeds life. This method respects the natural cycle, starkly contrasting with the land destruction of conventional burials that require concrete vaults, embalming, caskets made of metals, fiberglass, veneer and pressboard (materials that do not biodegrade) and large unsustainable monuments.
The beauty of Natural Burial comes from its simplicity and purity—the absence of chemicals avoids toxic pollution of soil and ground water. At Countryside, we are dedicated to preserving green spaces and maintaining native vegetation rather than manicured lawns that require the use of chemicals to maintain. Each burial becomes part of a living landscape, contributing to habitat restoration and biodiversity, rather than compromising the integrity of the land and waterways.
Under the umbrella of Natural Burial, we have a few different options at Countryside.
Your loved one can be placed in a single plot next to a thriving young tree (referred to as a “Tree Plot”) or you can be in a single “Sunshine Plot”. We offer Companion Plots, which are 2 plots side by side priced more economically than 2 single plots purchased separately. Companion plots can be both Tree Plots or both Sunshine Plots. Please reference our services and prices page for more details.
Natural Burial of Cremated Remains
At Countryside, you are welcome to have a burial for your Loved One’s cremated remains. We have an Urn Section dedicated to this. In this section, the size of the plot is perfect for a small urn. All urns must be made of biodegradable materials like the ones found here. You also have the freedom to hand-make an urn for your loved one. This may be a sacred creative process for you if perhaps you are artistically inclined. As long as all of the materials that you use are 100% non-toxic and biodegradable and the urn can easily fit in the urn plot, it can be buried at Countryside.
Instead of burying cremated remains in the Urn Section, some families prefer a full-size Tree or Sunshine plot for the cremated remains of a Loved One. We allow for one or two burials of cremated remains in a full-size plot.
Chrysta Bell Zucht is an internationally known Actor, Musician and the Steward of Countryside Memorial Park. She has always shared her father’s passion for Natural Burials, and upon his unexpected death in 2009 had the soul-satisfying experience of giving him the green burial he had always wanted. She remains deeply dedicated to Countryside and has vowed to continue to offer it as a serene, peaceful place for eco-conscious families to bury, memorialize and celebrate their Beloveds.
Music adds a memorable and deeply moving element to any ceremony, especially if it is music that your Loved One loved.