Spring Renewal

Spring is upon us. Blossoms unfold in time with the warming weather. Natural burial reflects this natural cycle of life, death, and renewal, which is encapsulated in Reflection Park’s mission.

Reflection Park is building a peaceful and inviting place where families can bring the bodies of their departed loved ones to be laid to rest with dignity. In this way, the bodies of our loved ones will give back to the earth and promote the natural beauty of the land. Honoring this natural cycle of life inspires a more conscious and purposeful way of living. With Earth Day being celebrated this month, we are reminded that natural burials offer ecological benefits, such as carbon sequestration, a diverse ecosystem, and space for visitors to enjoy the scenic outdoors. Choosing green burials is a great way to consciously align our “eco” values with end-of-life care. Learn more about how Reflection Park is building a sustainable future in the ‘Your Questions Answered’ section below.

April is a time to celebrate Earth. Every one of us can make a difference! Consider a tax-deductible donation to Reflection Park in honor of Earth Day on April 22 or on a monthly or recurring basis. Also, check out and share this recent article from the Washington Post that features Reflection Park, Serenity Ridge in Baltimore County, and the benefits of going green.

It’s time to bloom. We are grateful to all who are making our growth possible!

PROGRESS UPDATE

Since our last update, our team of engineers and architects has been working diligently to finalize drawings for permitting and construction of phase 1. This phase involves the front gate, roadways and parking, a maintenance building for our equipment, an office building, and hiking trails. These plans have taken longer than expected, partly due to the sheer volume of details that need to be worked out, and partly due to late-stage design modifications that will avoid unnecessary construction, reduce impervious surface area, and promote sustainability. This will allow for more harmonious integration with the surrounding landscape and a smoother progression to phase 2 development down the road. An approximate rendering of the grounds is below. Once the drawings have been finalized, we will be ready to seek bids for construction. Please keep us in mind and connect us to any contractors with expertise in sustainable design who might be interested in this work.

In addition to site developments, we are also gearing up our operations. In January 2023, we welcomed Nicole Sroka to join our team as Operations Manager. Nicole comes to us with a wealth of experience in organizational change management and communications among other expertise. She is currently working on helping to build our operational plans as well as develop our application materials for licensure from the Maryland Office of Cemetery Oversight.

Many of you have asked about pre-need offerings and at-need burial reservations. We expect to open Reflection Park after completing phase 1 construction, as early as the end of this year, and we look forward to serving you at that time. Please stay tuned through this newsletter and our website on launch timing.

An approximate rendering of the overall site. Burial areas (in olive green) will be gradually phased in with numerous new tree plantings. Light purple areas represent potential future road and building development.

Your Questions Answered

With each newsletter, we hope to answer one or more questions about Reflection Park, green burials, or anything else related to natural death care. Our FAQs page also has answers to many common questions.

How do natural burials reduce environmental impact and contribute to a sustainable future?

In honor of Earth Day, we discuss some of the environmental benefits of natural burial. Natural burials like those at Reflection Park safeguard worker health, conserve natural resources, and restore or preserve habitat through the following methods:

• Using burial shrouds and/or permeable caskets made of renewable and/or readily biodegradable materials

• Avoiding embalming fluids, which can help to preserve the health of funeral workers. (Conventional embalming is associated with higher rates of leukemia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and other health conditions.)

• Avoiding outer burial containers (such as grave liners and concrete vaults) to promote natural decomposition and unimpeded return to the earth

• Promoting healthy, fertile soil and growth of natural vegetation, which sequesters carbon and can help to reduce climate change

• Management to standards that promote biodiversity and reduce pollution

• Creating a public hiking trail system and supporting access to precious land resources for visitors to enjoy and appreciate nature

• Conserving natural spaces and protecting land from further development

• Encouraging other natural choices associated with end-of-life care from death to disposition

Bottom line: natural burials preserve the natural cycle of life, promote human and planetary health, and foster consciousness of our intimate relationship with the Earth – all important for building a sustainable future.

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