Green Burial Makes its Way to South Africa

The country opens its first eco-cemetery.

Last month, South Africa opened the country’s first green cemetery. Weisenhof Legacy Park was created within the oldest privately-owned nature reserve in the country. The park set aside a portion of its space for burial and memorial sites. It will remain a nature reserve, but the designated portion, previously agricultural land, will now be available for natural burial and scattering of cremation ashes.

“The legacy park is a more natural alternative to traditional cemeteries, burials or cremation, and a safer, more tranquil place for family members to remember their loved ones,” said Willie Fouche, the park’s chief executive.

Visitors coming to the park to pay their respects will also have access to its scenery and wildlife. The nature reserve is set in the foothills of South Africa’s Simonsberg Mountains, near the city of Stellenbosch.

People have the choice of either burial or scattering of ashes on their chosen plot in the park. Ashes are scattered along with wildflower seeds to facilitate the growth of field flowers, so that the park is filled with blooming flowers each season. Although burial remains the most popular choice for disposition in the country – as it does across the U.K. and the U.S. – interest in natural burial and cremation continues to grow worldwide.

The combination of population growth and the death toll from HIV/AIDS in South Africa has contributed to increasingly overcrowded cemeteries. Traditional cemeteries become plots of land devoid of any other use that pose significant environmental risks. Chemicals used in embalming and the creation of elaborate traditional caskets introduce dangerous toxins to the environment, as well as leave behind non-biodegradable materials like the plaques or ornaments that often adorn caskets.

Green cemeteries and natural burial, on the other hand, are a low-impact way to be laid to rest. Green coffins are much simpler and made from biodegradable materials like sturdy cardboard, woven branches, wicker, bamboo, or papier-mâché, or bodies are buried in a burial shroud made of natural materials. Green cemeteries allow for burial and memorial sites without the detrimental impact on the land of traditional cemeteries.

Check out the SevenPonds website for more information and green burial resources.

Photo source.

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5 Responses to Green Burial Makes its Way to South Africa

  1. avatar Lisa Lourens says:

    I would like to find out more about the green burial system, the cost etc. Please mail me contact details for Cape Town, South Afrca

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  2. avatar Mobi Medical says:

    Great post. Green funeral supplies and burials are designed to leave a minimal impact on the environment unlike traditional burials which take up vital space in the ground and non-decomposing coffins stay there forever. I think it’s also a good idea for families to use the burial plot as a small garden in honor of their loved one. They could plant a tree in place or turn the dirt mound into a large flower pot. Not only does this add beauty to the burial plot, but also honors the deceased in a special way. I wonder if cemeteries allow these.

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  3. avatar Angeline says:

    certainly like your web site however you
    need to test the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth then again I’ll certainly come again again.

    Report this comment

  4. avatar Diane Lawrie says:

    I am so thrilled to have found this website!
    I’m in Port Elizabeth and wanting to start researching about initiating a natural burial ground here.

    Report this comment

  5. avatar joni says:

    sorry to sen twice but didn’t fill in the previous msg properly. very interested in this form of burial

    Report this comment

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