Migrating to a New Facebook Page
For a variety of reasons, we’re migrating our old Facebook page to a new location. Please visit us on Facebook at The Herland Forest Natural Burial Cemetery to follow along with the evolution of the Herland Forest.
Towards the One
The following is from Debora’s obituary. Debora (Basira) Goldstein died of pancreatic cancer on September 20, 2019. She was born September 3, 1950 in Chicago, the eldest of three children of Marie (Martz) and Albert Goldstein. The family moved to … Continued
Undertaking: the podcast
Click on the image to hear the podcast. We just got back from DeathCon, the annual gathering of cemeteries, crematoriums and funeral directors working in Oregon and Washington. It was a fascinating opportunity to connect with other people doing this … Continued
Natural Organic Reduction
aka “Human Composting”
Price List and NOR Authorization form And if you live outside of the Pacific Northwest and are interested in natural organic reduction in the immediate future, please contact us about interstate transport options. In 2019, the Washington state legislature approved … Continued
Burial in the Snow
Herland Forest, our natural burial park, is a very private place, well away from the nearest paved road and all the traffic that implies. For most of the year, we see that as a very good thing, but that degree … Continued
2 Hearts 2 Gether 4 Ever
When the Franks contacted us, they asked the intriguing question of whether it would be possible for them to be buried shoulder to shoulder? The sentiment was something we understood and appreciated, and since Herland Forest does not use concrete … Continued
Chris’ Chestnut
From Chris’ memorial card: Christopher R. Heitner, 46, of Spokane, WA, passed away in his home on Oct. 6, 2018 of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Chris was born in North Dakota in 1972. He went to Lewis & Clark H.S. … Continued
Margaret’s Choice
When someone decides that they want to become a Guardian of the Herland Forest, usually the next step is for them to spend time on the land and find a spot that feels right for them. Some prefer the burial … Continued
Emma’s Cherry Tree
Usually, the first step in the interment of ashes from a cremation (often referred to as “cremains”) in the Herland Forest involves the loved one selecting a location that speaks to them. Then a hole is dug and a biodegradable … Continued
Delving into Woodlands: Much More than Meets the Eye
Last month, we had a most enjoyable visit from Will Smith, a writer for Enviro Gorge, an online magazine focused on the Columbia River Gorge area. That visit led to Herland getting a mention in this month’s issue. Here’s an … Continued
“Tuck” Hatfield Remembered
The Herland Forest is beautiful in May. It’s situated on the divide between the wetland forests of the western Cascades and the dryland forest that stretches away to the east. One result is that a steadily changing progression of wildflowers … Continued
Quote: The folly of not valuing soil, Galileo Galilei
I recently came across this quote from Galileo, all those years ago, that I thought was very poignant. The care of our soils is of paramount importance, for it is from the soil that our life and livelihoods on the … Continued
Video: Green Burial and Land Conservation
Members of O.U.R. Ecovillage in Canada talk about the potentials of conservation and green burials. The model that the ecovillage in the video is trying to set up is something that we have already realized through the Windward Ecovillage and … Continued
think outside the box
A short video that lays out the simple benefits of natural burial, for ourselves, our families and our future.
A Working Stewardship Forest.
A core aspect of the Windward Community’s (Herland’s stewarding organization) long-term ecological research and modeling revolves around creating a holistic economy based upon the stewardship of healthy, diverse and well functioning ecosystems; ecosystems which provide for the material well-being of … Continued