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Adventures in Cemetery Hopping

~ A blog by Traci Rylands

Adventures in Cemetery Hopping

Monthly Archives: March 2015

History at Risk: Saving the Heard Family Cemetery

20 Friday Mar 2015

Posted by adventuresincemeteryhopping in General

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UPDATE:  The Heard Cemetery court case was settled privately not long ago and is safe from development or having any homes built on it. According to this article, a key to the case was the discovery of an old deed that granted the Heards’ male heirs ownership of the cemetery in perpetuity.

As you’ve learned from this blog, small but remarkable cemeteries can be tucked away in some surprising places. This week I visited one I read about last year and it’s embroiled in a legal battle that shows no sign of being resolved anytime soon.

Heard Family Cemetery is located in Fulton County at the end of Heards Drive, a narrow road lined with multi-million dollar homes. It’s a quiet haven, with about 30 or so visible grave stones with many more unmarked. Unlike some neighborhood cemeteries slowly sliding into ruin under vines and branches, this one is lovingly cared for by its neighbors.

HeardFamilyCemeteryThis area is also near the site of what was once called Isom’s Ferry. If you’ve lived in Atlanta for any length of time, you know that many of the roads are named after the pioneer-operated ferries on the Chattahoochee River during the 1800s, such as Paces, McGinnis and Johnson. Isom’s Ferry was operated by James Isom until 1868.

This historical marker at the Heard Family Cemetery explains the vital role of Isom's Ferry (now known as Heard's Ferry) during the Civil War.

This historical marker at the Heard Family Cemetery explains the pivotal role of Isom’s Ferry (now known as Heard’s Ferry) during the Civil War.

Located at the confluence of Sope Creek and the Chattahoochee River, this land is historically important because Union troops first crossed here on their way south to Atlanta during the Civil War. A well-written article by Kimberly Brigance, Clarke Otten and Michael Hitt describes the events that took place in July 1864.

This map shows the location of the Heard Family Cemetery and where Union Troops crossed the nearby Chattahoochee River on their way south through Georgia. Map courtesy of Reporter Newspapers.

This map shows the location of the Heard Family Cemetery and where Union troops crossed the nearby Chattahoochee River via Sope Creek on their way south to Atlanta. Map courtesy of Reporter Newspapers.

During that summer, President Abraham Lincoln faced re-election and his prospects were not good. Confederate troops had racked up a high number of Union casualties at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. General William T. Sherman knew that for Lincoln to have any chance of being re-elected, Atlanta had to fall by November. The Chattahoochee was the last natural barrier between Union troops and Atlanta and Isom’s Ferry was thought to be the weakest point at that time.

On July 7, Sherman sent troops to the Sope Creek area with orders of little noise and no fires. On July 8, Union soldiers on ridges along the Sope Creek side of the river opened a barrage of rifle and cannon fire aimed at the Confederate position. About a hundred soldiers came out of the woods toward the river, firing across it at the water level.

Pontoon boats like this one ferried Union soldiers across Sope Creek so they could advance south to Atlanta. Photo courtesy of Newspapers.

Pontoon boats like this one ferried Union soldiers across Sope Creek so they could advance south to Atlanta. Photo courtesy of Reporter Newspapers.

From behind the ridge, 25 pontoon boats carrying soldiers went into Sope Creek and headed downstream toward the opposite bank of the river. Confederate gunners are reported to have only gotten off one shot before being overtaken. By day’s end, Federal engineers had two pontoon bridges in place shuttling more men and equipment into Sandy Springs. Union troops held three hill tops, one being the home of the Heard family and present location of the Heard Family Cemetery.

This newspaper photo of Judge John S. Heard is from his later years. His annual birthday barbecues at his farm were attended by many, including his family members.

This newspaper photo of Judge John S. Heard is from his later years. His annual birthday barbecues at his farm were attended by many, including his family members.

Judge James S. Heard was born to William “Buck” Heard (a blacksmith) and Rebecca Gill Heard in 1835. During the Civil War, Judge Heard served in the Ninth Battalion of the Georgia Artillery and is said to have been present at Appomattox when General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant. In 1868, Judge Heard bought Isom’s Ferry from James Isom and operated it until 1890 so it was renamed Heard’s Ferry.

Judge Heard’s first wife, Abie, was Isom’s daughter and together, they had several children. Some died in infancy but several lived to adulthood and had families of their own.

Judge John S. Heard is buried with his first wife, Abie Isom Heard, and his second wife, Athalena Dickerson Heard.

Judge John S. Heard is buried with his first wife, Abie Isom Heard, and his second wife, Athalena Dickerson Heard. Several of his children and grandchildren are buried around him.

After Abie died in 1882, Judge Heard married Athalena Dickerson. She was about 20 years his junior and they, too, had several children. Judge Heard lived to the ripe age of 96, celebrating his birthday each year on August 7 with a festive barbecue at his farm that was attended by many locals and family members.

Judge Heard sits between two of his granddaughters at the last birthday barbecue he celebrated in 1931. He wanted to be buried on his land among his family when he died.

Judge Heard sits between two of his granddaughters at the last birthday barbecue he celebrated in 1931. He wanted to be buried on his land among his family when he died.

The stones at the Heard Family Cemetery tell stories of lives short and long, especially children who died in infancy. Many of them are the grandchildren of Judge Heard and his wives.

Grady Frazier was the son of Kansas Heard Frazier and William Frazier, and grandson of Judge John Heard. She was the daughter of Judge Heard and his first wife, Abie.

Grady Frazier was the son of Kansas Heard Frazier and William Frazier, and grandson of Judge Heard and his first wife, Abie.

James “Jim” Heard was Judge Heard and Abie’s son. As a police officer, Jim made headlines when he was shot and killed during the 1906 Atlanta race riot. He and his 19-year-old bride, Stella Sowers, had been married less than a year. Originally buried at Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta, Jim was moved several months later to Heard Family Cemetery.

James "Jim" Heard was a policeman who was shot and killed during the 1906 Atlanta race riot. He was only 42 at the time.

James “Jim” Heard was a policeman who was shot and killed during the 1906 Atlanta race riot. He was only 42 at the time.

One of the more intriguing graves is that of Judge Heard and Abie’s eldest son, Newton Heard and his wife, Ellen. A tree is growing up the back of the stone and is actually notched on top of it, using it as a support. I don’t see that very often.

NewtonHeard1

Newton Heard was the son of Judge Heard and his first wife, Abie. A tree appears to be using his grave as a support.

Newton Heard was the eldest son of Judge Heard and his first wife, Abie. A tree appears to be using his grave as a support. Newton is buried with his wife, Ellen.

In 1900, with hopes of creating a permanent resting place for himself and his descendants, Judge Heard deeded the cemetery to his family. All went well until the mid-1990s when Fulton County, for reasons unknown, began to tax the property despite the fact cemeteries are tax exempt.

What happened next has been reported differently by various media outlets so I’ve done my best to piece things together. The property wound up on the tax assessor’s delinquent list. In December 2007, Mary Ann Elsner filed an affidavit of descent stating that she was the rightful inheritor. Elsner (listed as Mary Ellis in most of the older records) signed legal documents claiming to be the sole surviving heir of Carl Heard Jr., her brother, who was a descendant of Judge Heard.

That same month she sold the property to neighbors Henry and Wanda Cline, who paid the $38,400 tax bill and took possession. In July 2012, the Clines sold the property to attorney Christopher Mills for $1. He is also the Clines’ son-in-law.

Attorney Christopher Mills has filed a lawsuit against the city of Sandy Springs for blocking attempts to build on property where the Heard Family Cemetery is located. Photo from the website of Busch, Slipakoff & Schuh, LLP

Attorney Christopher Mills filed a lawsuit in 2012 against the City of Sandy Springs for blocking his attempt to build on property where the Heard Family Cemetery is located. Photo from the website of Busch, Slipakoff & Schuh, LLP

Mills’ attempt to build on the portion of the property not containing graves (which is in dispute since a number of unmarked graves exist) was blocked by the City of Sandy Springs, who refused to give Mills a permit to build. Mills sued the city in August 2012, arguing that the land is already zoned for residential use.

All of this has not gone unnoticed by the Heard descendants and neighbors living around the cemetery. They stand with the city in wanting the cemetery to remain as it is and don’t want Mills to build on the property.

Wright Mitchell, the attorney representing the Heard descendants, said as long as there are descendents of Judge Heard that would be eligible to be buried on the land in the future, the entire property should be considered burial grounds and restricted from being used for another purpose.

In a WSB-TV report, he said, “Mr. Mills may be building his house on top of graves that haven’t been identified yet.”

Attorney Wright Mitchell is representing the Heard family descendants.

Attorney Wright Mitchell is representing the Heard family descendants.

“I don’t think it matters how much of it is being used, there are decedents who do plan to be buried there in the future and that’s what the land was set aside for,” Heard descendant Nancy Smith said at a 2013 hearing about the lawsuit.

Georgia Court of Appeals judges John J. Ellington and Carla Wong McMillian heard the case in September 2014. After deliberating on the matter, they will send their decision to the parties’ lawyers at a date yet to be determined. It could take months before this happens so the fate of the Heard Family Cemetery remains in limbo.

Several Heard family descendants attended a hearing in 2013 to voice their opposition to a house being built on the property where the Heard Family Cemetery is located. Photo by CBS 46.

Several Heard family descendants attended a hearing in 2013 to voice their opposition to plans for a house to be built on the property where the Heard Family Cemetery is located. Photo by CBS 46.

In the meantime, Heard descendants and cemetery neighbors have created a Save the Heard Family Cemetery Facebook page here they post updates on the case. They also have a PayPal account where supporters can contribute to paying for the legal fees incurred.

It’s heartbreaking that an error that began with the taxation of a cemetery that’s exempt from it was the catalyst for what may spell the end for a historic site. Mr. Mills contends that he can build on the remaining part of the property. But having seen the property myself, I think it would be very hard to do so without disturbing the graves (including the unmarked ones you can’t see).

As I walked around the cemetery this week, a gentle breeze hinting of spring stirred the daffodils as I examined the old stones. Unlike many family cemeteries, it’s not fenced off or locked up. The Heard Family Cemetery is a lovely oasis amid a neighborhood that takes care of it and wants it to remain undisturbed, for both Judge Heard’s descendants and newcomers like me seeing it for the first time.

I think that’s something well worth saving.

Heard Cemetery angel

Soylent Green: Turning Human Remains into Compost

13 Friday Mar 2015

Posted by adventuresincemeteryhopping in General

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Last week I wrote about the Bios Urn, a biodegradable container that holds a tree seed that you add human cremains (ashes) to before planting it in the ground. The symbolism this evokes is that when you die, you can become a tree.

During my research, I came across another novel (if not unsettling) concept that is getting attention: the composting of human remains. Yes, you read that right. The notion of taking a human body and turning it into compost you can use in soil is on the drawing board.

You know what that immediately made me think of, don’t you?

Richard Fliescher's 1973 film immortalized the words "Soylent Green is people!" Set in 2022, Charleton Heston plays Detective Thorn, a cop who discovers that the food chips called Soylent Green are not made of plankton but actual human beings.

Richard Fleischer’s 1973 film immortalized the cry of “Soylent Green is people!” Set in 2022, Charleton Heston plays Detective Frank Thorn, a sardonic cop who discovers that the food chips called Soylent Green are not made of plankton but actual human beings.

Soylent Green, a futuristic film set in 2022, is about how a renegade cop (played by Charleton Heston) discovers that the food provided by the government called Soylent Green is not made of the plankton it is said to contain. Soylent Green is actually made from the protein found in human bodies. By the movie’s end, a screaming Charleton (“Soylent Green is people!”) is being carried away while the crowd watching thinks he’s lost his marbles.

The kind of human composting being proposed now does not involve creating little green squares for direct mass consumption. But it does mean turning a human body into compost that can be used in real soil to grow edible plants and ornamental trees/flowers.

Katrina Spade, an architect based in Seattle, Wash., founded the Urban Death Project. I am borrowing liberally from an article by Brendan Kiley about human composting that goes into great detail about her ideas. She came up with the idea in 2011.

This illustration from Brendan Kelly's article shows how loved ones would process up a winding ramp to the "core" where their loved one's body would be placed in a bay and a ceremony would be held to honor their life. Illustration by Jeremy Sorese.

This illustration from Brendan Kiley’s article shows how loved ones would proceed up a winding ramp to the “core” where their loved one’s body (wrapped in a shroud) would be placed in a bay, followed by a ceremony held to honor their life. Illustration by Jeremy Sorese.

Spade envisions building a three-story building where mourners could bring their dead. Friends and family would go with the unembalmed departed (wrapped in a shroud) up a circular ramp to the top of the “core,” or central decomposition chamber. What follows could be a type of ceremony during which the body would be placed into a mix of wood chips, straw and other organic material.

The core where the body is placed would be divided up into 10 “bays” — similar to elevator shafts — with several bodies in various stages of decomposition in each bay, separated from the bodies above and below by several feet of wood chips. Gravity and microbial activity would time the speed of each body’s descent.

After a few weeks or months (this is still being researched), loved ones would return to the building to pick up the remains, which have become an organic substance consisting of partially or wholly decayed vegetable or animal matter (also known as humus with one “m”, not the hummus made of chick peas). They could then use it to fertilize their own garden or leave it there to be used on the gardens surrounding the facility.

Spade's concept includes as much or as little human involvement in the preparation of the body as desired. The UDP web site says loved ones are encouraged to be part of the process of preparing the body for the procession and in the placement into the bay with the wood chips. Illustration courtesy of the UDP website.

Spade’s concept includes as much or as little human involvement in the preparation of the body as desired. The UDP web site says loved ones are encouraged to be part of the process of preparing the body for the procession and placement into the bay with the wood chips/organic material. Illustration courtesy of the UDP website.

Spade refers to this process as being “cremation by carbon”.

Kiley’s article includes an interview with soil scientist Lynne Carpenter-Boggs. She states that based on the elemental composition of human bodies, the compost from a 200 lb. person could produce six pounds of nitrogen, two pounds of phosphorus, and one pound of potassium. These are  three nutrients typically listed on fertilizers.

“I know this is going to be an offensive simplification of the value of a human body,” she says. “but one could compare the fertilizer value to 100 pounds of cottonseed meal.”

Soil and crop scientist Lynne Carpenter-Boggs likens the compost created by the human body to the fertilizer value to 100 pounds of cottonseed meal. Photo courtesy of Harmony Farm Supply and Nursery.

Soil and crop scientist Lynne Carpenter-Boggs likens the compost created by the human body to the fertilizer value  of 100 pounds of cottonseed meal. Photo courtesy of Harmony Farm Supply and Nursery.

How long it takes for a human body to decompose has been studied in recent years by places like the University of Tennessee’s “Body Farm” (which inspired the popular Kay Scarpetta mysteries). Spade did travel to Western Carolina University, which has a similar facility, to see how scientists are studying the natural decomposition of human remains in the outdoors

But doesn’t this process create a foul smell?

Spade said in a recent interview, “There is no smell. And that’s going to be accomplished by a number of ways, primarily through biofilters in the system. A good compost pile really doesn’t have much of an odor, and that’s because there’s a right mix of nitrogen and carbon and moisture and oxygen.”

Raised in rural New Hampshire where her family raised animals for slaughter and grew vegetables. Each household had compost piles. "We knew where our meat was coming from, where our vegetables were coming from."

Raised in rural New Hampshire, Katrina Spade’s family raised animals for slaughter and grew vegetables. Each household had compost piles. “We knew where our meat was coming from, where our vegetables were coming from.” Photo courtesy of National Public Radio.

Having received an $80,000 grant from the global non-profit Echoing Green to further develop her ideas, Spade hopes to get the operation up and running within the next few years. While the UDP has architectural designs for a potential facility, they need funds and a site upon which to build it.

The project will also have to overcome significant legal and regulatory hurdles. State law requires that all human remains be buried, cremated, donated to science or transferred out of state. The UDP would also have to get a license to operate a funeral home, according to the Washington state Department of Licensing. Local zoning restrictions, which require composting facilities to be outside populated areas, would also come into play.

Another more esoteric issue that arises from human composting is anonymously becoming a collective part of the soil along with hundreds of other people instead of burying an individual. I fully concede it’s something I can’t personally embrace. But others seem to like the idea quite a lot.

Spade admits that this communal pile, instead of individual plots of land or a special urn, is a psychological leap. “I’m asking people to accept that we don’t all need our own space when we die.”

Using the compost that came from the body of a loved one is a topic that excites some but makes others uncomfortable. Especially if it involves edible plants rather than ornamental flowers. Spade quipped, ""People love the idea of growing trees," she said. "They get really squeamish with tomatoes."

Using compost that came from the body of a loved one interests some but makes others uncomfortable. “People love the idea of growing trees. They get really squeamish with tomatoes,” Spade quipped in a 2014 Reuters article.

I understand that the practice of placing a body full of embalming fluid in a metal container in the ground is distasteful to many people and not exactly eco-friendly. But using compost that was once my Uncle George (and other people near him) so I can produce prize-winning tomatoes that can go into my salad is not one I can stomach either.

Many people I talk to say “I’m going to be dead so what does it matter?”. That opinion has merit and I understand it. But the unique rituals of the funeral and burial (which can be “green” and impact the earth more gently) are for the living, not the dead.

After my death, I want to leave my loved ones a place and a way to remember me if they choose. I don’t want to be taken to a “core” and composted with dozens of strangers.

And since I have a “black thumb” in the garden, even compost made from Uncle George wouldn’t help any tomatoes I planted survive.

deadtomatoes

Lovely as a Tree: How the Bios Urn Works

06 Friday Mar 2015

Posted by adventuresincemeteryhopping in General

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I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

Joyce Kilmer (his given name was Albert Joyce Kilmer so many mistakenly think he was a she) wrote “Trees” in 1913. The poem is often scoffed at for being overly simplistic. But “Trees” remains memorable, unlike other more pretentious works. People love trees. Some even want to become a tree after they die.

So it’s not surprising that people are going bonkers over a fairly recent alternative to traditional burial called a Bios Urn. At least a dozen people have forwarded me articles about it, so I knew I had to see what they were all about.

The Bios Urn is being touted as an economically friendly way to dispose of your ashes, which will eventually help fertilize a tree. Picture courtesy of Bios Urn's web site.

The Bios Urn is touted as an environmentally and economically friendly way to dispose of your ashes, which supposedly help fertilize a seed as it becomes a tree. Picture courtesy of the Bios Urn web site. Co-designer Martin Azua told Discovery News that he would “like to be buried in a Bios Urn in a forest in the Basque country [of Spain].”

Back in 1999, two Spanish designers named Gerard Moline and Martin Azua owned a studio called Estudimoline. Together, they patented a biodegradable urn with a plant seed inside designed to place beloved pets who had died back into the life cycle. From there came the idea of the Bios Urn for humans.

A big selling point of the Bios Urn is that you can use your cremains (the ashes from cremation) to nourish a tree seed. In other words, you can literally become a tree that will grow for years after your death. Instead of taking up space in a cemetery, you can become part of a forest. The idea is very appealing to environmentally conscious post-Baby Boomers that want to do things differently than their parents did.

Before I explain how the Bios Urn works, let me clarify that I am in no way a scientist or a horticulturist of any kind. I am simply sharing with you what I discovered when I searched a bit beyond the Bios Urn web site.

The urn itself is made up of 100 percent biodegradable materials such as coconut shell, compacted peat and cellulose. So nothing is left behind after it breaks down. The top section contains the seed of whatever tree you’ve chosen (eight varieties are available) or you can supply a seed of your own.

The separate bottom part is where you pour the ashes. I’m not sure just how much is required but since a human body usually becomes between four to six pounds of ashes after cremation, there’s going to be some left over.

[caption id="attachment_4749" align="aligncenter" width="529"]This diagram gives you an idea of how the Bios Urn works. The top half contains the tree seed and soil while the bottom half contains the cremains (or cremated ashes) of the deceased. Photo courtesy of Jebiga.com. This diagram gives you an idea of how the Bios Urn works. The top half contains the tree seed and soil while the bottom half contains the cremains (or cremated ashes) of the deceased. The roots eventually grow through the bottom half and into the ashes. Photo courtesy of Jebiga.com.

Here’s how it works. You place some soil from where you intend to plant the urn in the top half along with the tree seed. You then pour the ashes into the bottom half. The two parts are secured together, which can then be planted. Bios Urns’ website recommends that the urn be planted five centimeters (about two inches) from the surface.

The Bios Urns website says the urn requires the same care as a normal tree: water, sunlight and a good temperature. This can vary according to the kind of tree you choose so they recommend that you read up on whether or not it is a good variety to plant in your specific area.

The Bios Urn tree seed eventually grows roots and breaks into the lower section where the ashes are, which are supposed to serve as fertilizer. Voila, you’re now part of a tree!

While one advertised benefit of the Bios Urn is that you can plant it almost anywhere, I don’t know if cemeteries are too keen on them. You’d have to get permission to plant it and they would be the ones in charge of maintaining it for you. Since most traditional cemeteries are very focused on maintaining easy grass mowing, they may not allow it. However, the new “green cemeteries” would likely be happy to handle that request.

One variety that Bios Urns sells is the ginkgo. Considering that they have a reputation for emitting a strong unpleasant odor, I don't think that's a legacy I'd want to leave behind.

One tree variety that Bios Urns sells is the ginkgo. Considering that they have a reputation for emitting a strong unpleasant odor, I don’t think that’s a legacy I’d want to leave behind.

My thoughts on the long-term implications go into overdrive when I consider this. If my Aunt Harriet wants to be buried in her back yard, what’s going to happen if the property is eventually sold? Do you dig her, I mean, the tree up and take it somewhere else? If Aunt Harriet wants to be buried in a park, you’d probably have to get permission. If you own family land, you could plant the urn there. But what happens years from now after you die and your heir chooses to sell the landt? What do you do if the tree dies?

I did read about proposed BiosParks where you could plant your Bios Urn and monitor it via GoogleEarth. But I couldn’t find any information about whether or not that ever became reality.

What I wanted to find out was if the concept of using human cremains as tree fertilizer is scientifically valid. Here’s what I came up with.

After a body is cremated, the resulting ashes and bone fragments are left to cool. A device then pulverizes the bone fragments into a fine dust with a consistency similar to sand. There’s nothing organic left behind.

What exactly are cremains made up of? The graphic below breaks down just that. Almost half of human ashes are made up of phosphate and a fourth of it is calcium.

Human cremains are made up of a mixture of different chemicals, but most of it is phosphate with calcium coming in second. Photo courtesy of VillageMemorial.com.

Human cremains are made up of a mixture of different chemicals, but most of it is phosphate with calcium coming in second. Graphic courtesy of VillageMemorial.com.

Some gardeners believe that calcium phosphate makes an excellent fertilizer. But I’ve also read that when produced at higher temperatures (like fire from a crematorium), it can become insoluble and not very useful as a fertilizer.

A company called Let Your Love Grow (LYLG) has done extensive research that shows that cremains have a very high pH level that hinders their ability to release any helpful nutrients. Also, cremated ashes contain sodium in amounts that range from 200 to 2000 times what plant life can tolerate.

LYLG published a photo that shows how 16 months after burial, a biodegradable urn has completely dissolved (I have no idea if this is a Bios Urn). The ashes are left in concentration and may remain that way for years. Plant roots will inevitably turn away from this clump of salty rock.

To remedy that, LYLG sells a special mixture that, when added to regular soil and cremains, balances out the high pH level/sodium. This enables people to then bury their loves one’s cremains without harming the soil or any surrounding plant life.

This picture from Let Your Love Grow shows the ashes left behind from a biodegradable urn some 16 months after burial in the ground. They contend that these ashes do not provide fertilization for growing plants.

This picture from Let Your Love Grow shows the ashes left behind from a biodegradable urn some 16 months after burial in the ground. They contend that human ashes do not provide adequate fertilization to support growing trees.

Discovery News’ article about Bios Urn points out that “plants that like acidic soil might find that the ashes raise the pH of the soil too much for comfort.”

I’m not enough of a scientist to say whether or not these concerns are valid. Perhaps there’s something in the Bios Urn itself that makes the growth process of the roots into the ashes work well with the local soil. The Bios Urns website is vague on those horticultural particulars.

Bios Urn can be purchased directly from their website for about $145 with shipping costs being variable. The cost is the same for Bios Urns for pets. Some retailers sell them as well. Bios Urns’ website claims that over 7,000 have been sold.

Puerto Rican-based Spiritree sells a similar urn. Their cost is a bit higher at $225 and the process is a little different in how the ashes are introduced to the roots. Another option on the horizon is the actual composting of human remains, but current state laws forbid it. I plan on writing about that soon.

I’m sure many people will continue to be enamored with the symbolic idea of becoming a tree. Me? I don’t think so. Because this is the mental picture I get when I think about it. And that’s one I don’t think I can live (or die) with.

dog-peeing-on-tree

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