DIGGING FOR GREEN, NOT GOLD
Traditional cemeteries that have designated sections for natural burials often have signs identifying the areas.
To the contrary, anyone visiting the Danbury Cemetery with the primary objective of locating its natural burial ground should be prepared for scavenging in depth! Perhaps approaching the mission as a hide and seek exercise may confer a playful twist in contrast to more usual cemetery meanderings.
This is not a situation whereby one could expect to zip in and out of the territory, with nary a nod to grounds crews or passersby. No, if hell bent to find the singular spot for green burials, expect to spend A LOT of time traversing the grounds and speaking to every Tom, Dick, and Harry in sight. None of the bird watchers, runners, grave visitors, or employees will be immune to one’s fervent inquiries. Surprisingly, though, no one will necessarily be able to provide the right answer!
Instead, these folks will have the green seeker repeatedly driving over the same roads, back and forth, only to reach suggested locations to no avail. Perhaps amusingly, the endeavor can readily become a “wild goose chase,” though resident geese are readily visible.
In a last ditch effort and after conferring with an employee out “in the field,” there’s a slim chance the goal may be reached. Uponfinally discovering THE SPOT, one will surmise that this green burial territory is not yet fully established. Its primordial phase for burials is recognized only by the telltale interruption of the ground’s grassy carpet within a sparsely delineated area.
Besides the absence of a sign at the site, there are no memorial materials here – no primitive stone markers, plants, or flowers that might be observed at other natural burial cemeteries' parcels of land. Maybe they are contemplated and yet to be placed above these graves as the concept grows and future decedents occupy the “neighborhood.”
A subsequent call to the cemetery office can fill in the gaps, to some extent. Only “a couple” of bodies have been buried here as yet, but land has been allocated as part of a master plan for expansion.
If, in the process of searching for the green burial section, the seeker has been in a tolerant mood and could refrain from giggling induced by the extent of this circuitous pursuit, other attractions here would likely catch one’s eye and fortify the inquisitive spirit.
The traditional Memorial Day tribute in the veterans’ arena commands attention.
In contrast to the natural burial site, one can’t miss the sight of a cremation garden composed of stones rather than soil. Its conspicuous blanket of white proclaims the presence of scattered human residuals deposited in community style.
And, speaking of community… graves can be arranged cozily!
There’s even a cremation garden specifically for pets.
New life emerges within this cemetery!
Highlights such as these enhance a visit here, but if the objective is solely to locate the green burial section, the passage of time may do the trick.
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