Published · Morgan Oaks Eternal Preserve
A green burial service looks and feels different from a conventional funeral. Here is a gentle walkthrough of what families experience at Morgan Oaks, from arrival to the final handful of earth.
Many families who come to Morgan Oaks have never attended a green burial. They often ask what the day will actually look like. The short answer: simpler, quieter, and more hands-on than a conventional funeral, with as much or as little ceremony as you want.
Arriving at the Preserve
Guests park and walk a short gravel trail into the garden you have chosen. There are no rows of headstones or manicured lawns. Instead, the grave is opened in a meadow among native grasses and oaks. Our services stewards prepare the site ahead of time and stay nearby to help.
The Body and the Container
Because green burial does not allow embalming, metal caskets, or concrete vaults, your loved one arrives in a biodegradable shroud, a simple wooden casket, or a woven willow or seagrass container. Many families find this deeply comforting: nothing stands between their loved one and the earth.
Lowering and Participation
The body is lowered by hand, often using straps or a lowering board. Families are welcome to help carry, lower, or simply stand close. Afterwards, many people place a handful of soil, flowers from the meadow, or a written note into the grave.
- Readings, music, prayers, or silence are all welcome
- Children can participate in age-appropriate ways, like scattering wildflower petals
- Family members may help backfill the grave if they wish
- Pets are welcome on leash
After the Service
The grave is mounded with native soil, which settles naturally over the following months. A flush natural stone marker can be placed later. Many families return for a Fire Pit Celebration of Life or plant a tree memorial nearby to mark the first anniversary.
Planning Ahead Helps
Working with a funeral home that understands green burial and touring the preserve ahead of time makes the day smoother. Our team can walk you through the options and coordinate with your funeral provider. Call (833) 667-4266 or request a tour.
