Herland is hidden away in a private forest located on the eastern edge of the Cascadian wilderness. There’s a modern, paved road that leads to our driveway, but when one leaves the county road, you still have to travel more … Continued
…and smoores around the campfire Each fall, we join with friends of the Herland Forest to plant thousands of daffodils and tulips throughout the cemetery. We take a special delight in transforming graves into bouquets. In spring, as the winter … Continued
Amelia’s dad was reduced here in the Herland Forest last fall. Last month, the family picked up the drums of compost and took them away to be used by the family. Not knowing what to expect, Amelia had some trepidation … Continued
In the heart of the Herland Forest, in what we think of as the “middle forest”, there’s a syncline that channels runoff from the watershed forest north of the cemetery. One result is that the moist forest floor is carpeted … Continued
In the Herland Forest, the cold, wet days of winter are giving way to spring. The annual pageant is getting underway as the first wave of wildflowers brings beauty that uplifts the heart after a long winter. It’s exciting to … Continued
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, the goal of the undertaker is to … Continued
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 way to help their loved ones become … Continued
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 a 501(c)(13) tax-exempt cemetery. You’ve probably heard … Continued
baby trees growing on the graves
A key reason why people choose to rest in the Herland Forest is that they want their remains to nurture the growth of a tree–often a specific type of tree. Here in the Pacific Northwest, the hazelnut is a very … Continued
When something dies in the forest, fungi break it down and allow the essential elements such as magnesium and potassium to be re-used to create more life. The forest’s mycological network then transports those critical resources from where they rest … Continued
Herland Forest is different from most other cemeteries. And yes, while it is a place where the dead are laid to rest, it’s also a place where all the natural cycles of life play out. It’s a place where a … Continued
Honey knew the human wasn’t well, but she did all she could to comfort her. Honey would climb onto the bed with Lois and cuddle, and was a wonderful companion during dark days. Lois was loved and cared for by … Continued
A key goal of our natural organic reduction process is to create compost that is optimized for delivering essential nutrients to plants and trees. That involves operating the process in a way which breaks down the remains, not just to … Continued
A key step in the natural organic reduction process comes at the very end. A gallon sample of the compost is sent off to a certified lab for analysis to determine its heavy-metal content and whether e.coli bacteria are present. … Continued