Everything to Share from October!
Thanks to the efforts of two amazing community members, we can finally bring this groundbreaking documentary to the Burlington area!
Join us at the South Burlington High School Auditorium on Wednesday October 30th from 5:30-7:30pm for a special screening of From Earth to Earth: The Lost Art of Dying in America. This documentary is roughly 20 minutes and features our opening and first burial. Following the screening, there will be a Q&A with our founder and Head Cemeterian Michelle Hogle Acciavatti.
As many of you know, Michelle and Paul are expecting a baby in December, so this will be her last public event before maternity leave! Let's fill this big venue with a great turnout!
Can't attend but still want to show your support?
Please help us spread the word by sharing our social media posts and posting this on your local FPF. We've made it easy for you - feel free to copy and paste the information below to share:
A short documentary, "From Earth to Earth: The Lost Art of Dying in America" will be presented at South Burlington High School on Wednesday, October 30. This 20-minute film showcases the beauty and significance of natural burial, exploring its legalization in Vermont and the opening and first burial at its first natural burial ground, Vermont Forest Cemetery. It also features one woman’s journey to find her “forever home” at Greensprings Natural Burial Preserve, the 3rd oldest natural burial ground in the United States. Following the screening, there will be a question and answer session with Michelle Hogle Acciavatti, the founder of Vermont Forest Cemetery.
South Burlington High School Auditorium, 550 Dorset Street, Wednesday 10/30 5:30-7:30pm. Free.
Thanks to all of you who donated in our September fundraiser! Northside Lane now extends from the town road 1,500 feet into the very heart of the forest!
We were absolutely blown away by your generosity during our Road to Legacy fundraiser. Thanks to our donors, we raised over $14,000 in a month. Our road contractor, Steve Amell, got right to work on the Lane. He has created a new parking area in the Sheepfold, repaired culverts damaged in last year's flooding and widened the upper part of the Lane, while also increasing the size of the upper parking area and creating new accessible entrances to the Spruce Grove. Meanwhile, Steve's son Carter also widened and smoothed Eileen's Ring and the Shepherd's Trail, making both these footpaths easily accessible to folks of all abilities. There are still guided tours scheduled before the weather turns this year, and we encourage everyone to come and see for yourselves!
The map below shows how much further passenger cars can come into the forest now that we have more available parking within our Sheepfold. During our Anniversary Celebration, we were able to park more than a dozen cars safely and comfortably!
We cannot recommend Steve Amell enough. It you are in need of a thoughtful, responsive, responsible, highly skilled excavation and landscape in Central Vermont you can reach out to him at 802-498-7577.
Michelle has been invited by the Northeast Death Doula Network to lead a three-day workshop on after-death care and home funerals for death doulas and community members interested in supporting people caring for their loved ones at home.
Network members will get a discount but this event is open to everyone until capacity is reached. Please email michelle@memorial.eco if you would like to be on the list.
You can learn more about the Northeast Death Doula Network by clicking here.
Finally, thanks to all of you who came out to celebrate our First Anniversary with us: especially the artists and musicians and educators. Our November newsletter will feature pictures and stories from this celebration... which we have decided to make an annual event!
Pictured above is one of our performers Avery Lavoie! You can follow her on instagram @averylynnflower
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