The afternoon before Thanksgiving, my mother-in-law, Nancy Howe, died at age 95.  She was surrounded by family members and listening to my daughter Alicia's music as her body shut down.

Nancy was an avid gardener and loved walking in the woods.  She had considered cremation, but was drawn to Green Burial as a better way for her to return to nature and nurture the earth.  Green Burials need to happen fairly quickly since no preservatives are added to the body.

It is always a good time to consider what you want to have done for you when your time comes and to communicate your wishes to those who will be making the decisions for you.  Nancy had done this.

I am posting a few pictures of the Green Burial as a meditation on life, death, and our closeness to nature.  

The Gravesite is prepared.

Nancy's  Shroud is lowered.

Petals and Leaves are added.

Everyone helps fill the grave.

Shrubs are planted.  The Earth abides.