The Herland Forest Natural Burial Cemetery is a non-profit cemetery dedicated to facilitating an individual’s return to the circle of life. This permaculture forest, located on the eastern edge of the Cascadian wilderness, combines the native pine, fir and oak with non-native varieties such as chestnut and walnut, ginko and cherry, apple and hazelnut, to create a living sanctuary that supports the birds, bees, animals, and people who make the forest their home.
Herland Forest lies right at the transition between the wet forests to the west and the dry highlands to the east. Here you’ll see Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine growing side by side among ancient oaks, as we work to diversify the forest to increase its ability to support life in the wild.
Herland Forest uses cutting edge permaculture techniques to increase the forest’s ability to nourish life, and to protect it from the wildfires that threaten the western forests.
Herland Forest delights in transforming graves into bouquets of flowers that herald the annual return of spring to the forest.
We ask you to join with us as we work to enable death to create new life.
News and Updates
Deoonaka and the indigenous origin of
Enhanced Natural Burial
People generally think of burial as something that happens at the end of a person’s life. In the case of a modern burial using embalming fluid and interment in a concrete vault,... READ MORE
A Path Home
The National Home Funeral Alliance‘s Sarah Crews interviews Walt Patrick and Elizabeth Fournier about how Herland Forest offers an alternative way for people to go home to nature. For those looking for a... READ MORE
Death and Taxes
The vast majority of death care providers are for-profit corporations; Herland Forest is different, and I’m delighted to relate that this summer, the IRS recognized that difference by granting Herland Forest recognition as... READ MORE
Baby Trees
baby trees growing on the graves READ MORE