Hello!
Has anyone researched green burial cemeteries as an income stream for their land? I believe that green cemeteries can be an income stream for people who have land that they would like to conserve, while providing a meaningful service to their community. It seems that green burials are becoming more popular and each community would benefit from an alternative to the current conventional burial & cremation options. There are many great resources in the form of websites, organizations and documentaries!
I live in rural Maine, where people can be buried in private cemeteries on their own land, but for people without enough land, there aren't many options. Even people who have enough land are seeking communal green cemeteries that will be maintained for generations. I've recently joined a working group that is setting up a non-profit with the goal of helping an individual, land trust or existing cemetery set up a conservation green burial cemetery. There have been several individuals in Maine, who have started green cemeteries without a succession plan and the cemeteries are no longer open for new burials. We are interested in helping to develop a long term plan that will be available for perpetuity.
We hope to find a land trust, funeral director and/or cemetery steward that will take on the management of the green burial cemetery, on land that is donated or purchased for that purpose. Here is a draft of an advertisement seeking land for use as a green burial site.
Midcoast Maine Green Burial (MMGB) is a local volunteer organization recently formed to engage in education and advocacy for green burial cemeteries or hybrid cemeteries to be established within the boundaries of Knox, Waldo and Lincoln counties. Green burial is a way of caring for the dead with minimal environmental impact that aids in the conservation of natural resources, reduction of carbon emissions, protection of worker health, and the restoration and/or preservation of habitat.
We are seeking a tract of land to ultimately create a conservation green burial cemetery within the boundaries of Knox, Waldo and Lincoln counties.
Are you a land owner in our community who would be interested in putting a few acres into this kind of natural burial ground? Some rural property that is zoned agricultural will allow green cemeteries; this is what we are seeking.
Acquiring the Right Property
The purchase agreements for the land would include contingencies upon getting approval by the state, city or county, making sure the land has the appropriate zoning, municipal and neighbor consent, does not have owner restrictions, does not have deed covenants, is relatively flat, is not located in a flood zone, has no wells on the property, has little or no surface water and is removed from development.
We would ask for a 60-90 day wait period to gather all the information and get approvals from all the parties involved.
I searched Permies and found a few threads about composting remains, but not using land for green cemeteries. I'm looking for information on business models to present to potential land owners / donors. I look forward to hearing what others have discovered or considered! TIA!!
