| | | | | Dear Friend of Green Burial, I don't know about you, but for me this was a long, painfully cold winter. I felt it deeper in my bones–the winter chill, the gray days, the isolation, the snow that just wouldn't melt.
Winter is beautiful from a distance, through a window, under a blanket, with hands wrapped around a hot cup of tea. The silence of the snow offers peace, but what I wanted more than anything was to open my windows and hear the birds chirping, smell the flowers, and feel the warm sun on my face.
There's something about that first warm day in March, with its promise of renewal and longer days that makes me impatient for spring to fully arrive. I seem to forget every year that it doesn't just show up one day, it blossoms slowly during those first few weeks. And when it does finally arrive, it feels like spring is gone in a blink. Once I experience that first surprisingly warm day, I start looking for the daffodils, magnolias, and cherry blossoms as if they should have arrived overnight. The only thing I want to do is be outside and be with others enjoying a beautiful day.
A cemetery in spring brings me incredible joy. It offers symbiosis between life and death. I'm lucky to live a few miles from one of the most beautiful garden cemeteries in Massachusetts, Mount Auburn Cemetery, which conveniently offers green burial options. As it gets warmer, the cemetery is almost bustling, full of visitors walking the paths. Some are here to visit loved ones, others are interested in seeing the gorgeous memorials, and nature lovers excited for the return of life and migratory birds. Across the Commonwealth, the land is reawakening, offering a perfect opportunity to visit a cemetery near you.
If you're curious about which cities and towns offer green burial, visit our database and find one near you. See for yourself how nature heals and the different ways people pay tribute to their loved ones by giving them back to the earth.
Sincerely,
Jo Oltman
President and Board Member, Green Burial Massachusetts, Inc. | | New Hampshire opens its first Conservation Burial Ground
The Oliverian Everlasting Burial Ground in Benton Flats is New Hampshire's first natural burial ground, providing an alternative to conventional cemetery practices.
Read more via New Hampshire Public Radio | | Green Burial Massachusetts is an all-volunteer organization. Your donation allows us to pursue our mission of educating the public about green burial throughout Massachusetts through presentations, answering your calls and emails, and keeping the GBM website up-to-date.
Green Burial Massachusetts, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Your gift to Green Burial Massachusetts, Inc. is tax-deductible in the United States to the extent allowable by law.
Do you have the gift of time? We're seeking volunteers to give presentations, and call cemeteries for our crowd-sourced database. We'd love to hear from you. | | Fulfilling Our Mission
As part of our mission to educate the public about green burial, we visit libraries, senior centers, green fairs and other venues providing talks, workshops, and webinars, both in-person and virtually.
Presentations
Our presentations cover what green burial is, how it works, where it can be done, and more. Upcoming Events/Presentations Over the past three months, we presented at: - January 9, 2026 - Centerville Public Library
- January 10, 2026 - Rowe Town Library
- January 11, 2026 - Pioneer Valley Shambhala Meditation Center
- January 22, 2026 - West Newbury Wild and Native and Open Space Committee
Answering Your Calls & Emails We've responded to 3 phone calls and 4 emails since our last newsletter. Remember, planning ahead for your own burial is the best gift you can give to others who will fulfill your green burial wishes. | | Does your Local Cemetery Allow Green Burial?
Green Burial Massachusetts cemetery database lists 67 cemeteries in 45 Massachusetts municipalities that allow green burial. Volunteers are key to adding new information to the list. Don't see your city or town on the list? Help us expand the number of listed cemeteries by reaching out to a cemetery commission or private cemetery board and collecting information. Even if the cemetery doesn't currently allow green burial, we hope to list what is offered by every town or municipality in Massachusetts. It helps us when answering phone calls from people making arrangements for a loved one who desires a green burial. We'd love your help!
Email info@GreenBurialMA.org for instructions or to let us know about a cemetery that allows green burial. | | | | | | |
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