Natural BurialWEST LAUREL HILL CEMETERY

225 Belmont Avenue ∙ Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004

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West Laurel Hill CemeteryFounded in 1869 as non-denominational cemetery

187 acres

Cemetery, Crematory and Funeral Home

Listed on National Register of Historic Places

Sister Cemetery to Laurel Hill (1836), National Historic Landmark

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What is Natural Burial?No embalmingNo outer burial containersNo metal caskets (wood caskets, shrouds, wicker permitted)No traditional monumentsNatural grave decorations onlyNo herbicides/pesticides usedOnly indigenous plantings

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Motivations for Establishing Nature’s Sanctuary

WLHC tradition of progressive thinkingLocal leadership invested in our community/environmentCertified ArboretumIncreasing interest/demand

◦ 2008 Survey by funeral industry publishers Kates-Boylston Publications found 43% of respondents said they would consider a green burial (up from 21% AARP study from 2007)*

Original Specifications for Nature’s Sanctuary

• 1 Acre

• 4’ Depth

• Lowering by hand

• Graves hand-dug with family request; family may participate

• No artificial greens or flowers

• Indigenous plantings

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Nature’s Sanctuary Purchases by Age

50-below 51-60 61-70 71-80 81-90 91-up

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19

16

12

1

Estimated 44% of properties purchased by Baby Boomers (age 51-69)

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Public Response• Press

• 26 burials (as of 3/1/2015)

• 32 additional spaces purchased (as of 3/1/2015)

• Enthusiastic Family Response/Participation

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Nature’s Sanctuary Restoration Project

Begun in 2014

New Direction-Assisted Ecological Succession

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Nature’s Sanctuary Restoration Project

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Scheduled Improvements

Protection of Existing graves &trees Installation of Path System

Use of goats to eradicate low growth invasives surrounding the site

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The Future