By Megan Heidlberg, WNEG32
A trail in Westminster, South Carolina, isn’t your typical forest trail. It’s actually a burial ground too. Scattered amongst the trees, leaves, and waterfall lies more than 20 graves.
Although it’s owner, Dr. Billy Campbell, doesn’t like the name, “Green Burial,” site, that is basically what it is. It is also the first one in America. Campbell says he got the idea while in medical school.
“I was looking for different ways to do thins. Instead of spending thousands of dollars in funerals why not do something more simple, more traditonal like it was done 100 years ago,” explains Dr. Campbell.
Here is how it works. You plan ahead just like you would at any other funeral home. You then tour the woods and find an area you would want to be buried.
“We only require that it is very simple. We don’t embalm, and you can be buried in a regular pine box, re-enforced card board box, or quilt,” Campbell.
Kimberly Campbell, who actually runs the business, says this form of burials allows families to be much more involved when a loved one passes away. For example when one 28-year-old passed away this past May, his father actually made his casket. The rest of the family also got to say goodbye in an unique way.
“Everyone had markers and wrote messages on his casket. They even brought the mans dog and put mud on his paws and let him touch the casket,” explains Kimberly Campbell.
Others may decide to do it in a more natural manner. You can choose to have a headstone, made from field rocks, or just a plain rock. Another difference at this cemetery, once you are buried, they don’t haul the dirt away.
“We are very careful to put everything back where it was. We plant flowers so your grave becomes the real center for beauty and diversity,” Dr. Billy Campbell.
This type of cemetery certainly isn’t for everyone, but it does show there are more options out there.
For more information on this “Natural Burial,” you can call the Ramsey Preserve at (864) 647-7798.
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