DIGGING FOR GREEN, NOT GOLD
Traditional cemeteries that
have designated sections for natural burials often have signs identifying the
areas.
To the contrary, anyone visiting the Danbury
Cemetery with the primary objective of locating its natural burial ground
should be prepared for scavenging in depth! Perhaps approaching the mission as a hide and seek exercise
may confer a playful twist in contrast to more usual cemetery meanderings.
This is not a situation
whereby one could expect to zip in and out of the territory, with nary a nod to
grounds crews or passersby. No, if
hell bent to find the singular spot for green burials, expect to spend A LOT of
time traversing the grounds and speaking to every Tom, Dick, and Harry in
sight. None of the bird watchers,
runners, grave visitors, or employees will be immune to one’s fervent
inquiries. Surprisingly, though,
no one will necessarily be able to provide the right answer!
Instead, these folks will
have the green seeker repeatedly driving over the same roads, back and forth, only
to reach suggested locations to no avail.
Perhaps amusingly, the endeavor can readily become a “wild goose chase,” among resident geese roaming the grounds.
In a last ditch effort and
after conferring with an employee out “in the field,” there’s a slim chance the
goal may be reached. Upon
finally discovering THE SPOT, one
will surmise that this green burial territory is not yet fully established. Its primordial phase for burials is
recognized only by the telltale interruption of the ground’s grassy carpet within
a sparsely delineated area.
Besides the absence of a
sign at the site, there are no memorial hallmarks here – no primitive stone markers, plants, or
flowers that might be observed at other natural burial cemeteries' parcels of land. Maybe they are contemplated and yet to
be placed above these graves as the concept grows and future decedents occupy
the “neighborhood.”
A subsequent call to the
cemetery office can fill in the gaps, to some extent. Only “a couple” of bodies have been buried here as yet, but
land has been allocated as part of a master plan for expansion.
If, in the process of
searching for the green burial section, the seeker has been in a tolerant mood and
could refrain from giggling induced by the extent of this circuitous pursuit, other
attractions here would likely catch one’s eye and fortify the inquisitive spirit.
The traditional Memorial Day
tribute in the veterans’ arena commands attention.
In contrast to the natural
burial site, one can’t miss the sight of a cremation garden composed of stones
rather than soil. Its conspicuous
blanket of white proclaims the presence of scattered human residuals deposited in
community style.
And, speaking of community…
graves can be arranged cozily!
There’s even a cremation
garden specifically for pets.
New life emerges within this
cemetery!
Highlights such as these
enhance a visit here, but if the objective is solely to locate the green burial
section, the passage of time may do the trick.
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