Embracing Natural Balance

Warm mid-summer greetings from the other side of the Summer Solstice! Also known as the Estival Solstice, this event is widely celebrated as a marker of the longest days of the year and a symbol of sunshine, abundance, and fertility. Quite simply, summer is yang to the cold winter’s yin. 

Part of the yin-yang symbol’s beauty is the undulating line reminding us of the overlap between the two sides. Similarly, nature teaches us the beauty of the “both/and” approach that can foster balance and sustainability. Just as Reflection Park will be a place for us to gather on some of our saddest days to mourn and remember those who have left, we also intend for it to be a space of joy to observe and celebrate the beauty of the ebb and flow of the natural world.

As we think about the natural world during peak summer heat, it’s fitting that there is a version of hibernation, called estivation, that is just as important as winter hibernation. Like its winter twin, estivation helps conserve energy and resources. Whether it is a ladybug seeking refuge in a cool cave in the summer or a bear bedding down to wait out the cold days of winter, both seasonal dormancies (hibernation and estivation) are a testament to the power of balance and harmony within the natural world. They remind us to take what we need, shed what we no longer need, slow down if our bodies need us to rest, and celebrate when we have the good fortune to experience moments of joy.

Those of us working to bring Reflection Park to life feel this acutely as we find ourselves shifting gears to speed up some aspects of project development that are under our control while letting other aspects out of our control lay fallow and wait until those authorities allow for progress. Though it can be frustrating, ultimately the yin-yang of launching Montgomery County’s first all-natural burial ground is a balancing act, and we are so grateful to you for your partnership and patience as we move forward.

Progress Report

Our experienced civil engineering firm has been working for several years toward the needed permit approvals for our first phase of construction. Over that time, we have secured permits and approvals including conditional use, forest conservation, and fire access, among others. The remaining permits — soil erosion, sediment control, and stormwater management — were contingent on the State Highway Administration’s approval. We are delighted to report that after a nearly 15-month review process, we now have approval from the State Highway Administration, which allowed us to quickly move through the last hurdle with the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services.

Now that we have successfully navigated the permitting labyrinth, we can begin in earnest to plan for the groundbreaking of Phase One construction!

In the months ahead, we plan to:

• Prepare the first burial areas by clearing, replanting hardwood trees and shrubs, planting native ground cover, contouring walkways, and adding meditative features like benches (see graveside mapping plan below)

• Clear, grade, and pave the internal roadway to accommodate funeral processions and parking during funeral services

• Create a deceleration lane on New Hampshire Avenue to facilitate ease of entry into the property and reduce traffic disruption

• Install underground channels and bioretention facilities to mitigate stormwater runoff

• Construct an entry gate for car and pedestrian access, accommodating visitors from morning to evening

• Plant additional trees and shrubs along New Hampshire Avenue and side boundaries for screening

• Map the first burial sections (see below for the bird’s eye view)

• Create hiking trails, as we know how important time in nature is

Next Event!

Please join us for a virtual information session on September 15 at 4:00 p.m. This is an opportunity to learn about Reflection Park’s mission, hear a status report on construction, and have the Reflection Park team answer your questions. To receive a link to join the meeting, please register here. This meeting will be recorded, but of course, we love being together, so join virtually if you can!

Spring Event Recap

On April 28, Reflection Park hosted a meet-and-greet at the beautiful Sandy Spring Museum with members of the Green Burial Association of Maryland, who described their efforts to support natural burial options in our state. We also heard from three community members who chose natural burial for their loved ones. The event ended with a formal question and answer session with Reflection Park staff and board, followed by an informal community gathering. Many of the questions and their respective answers from this event are provided below and will be included on our FAQ page.

Your Questions Answered

Can I visit Reflection Park?

We are excited to share the beauty of Reflection Park with everyone through guided tours, open houses, and other meet-and-greet events. As we are about to break ground on a major construction project we will need to wait until that is complete before we open our proverbial doors. Right now the area is densely vegetated, and it is not safe to walk or drive. Once we complete the first phase of construction and Reflection Park is officially open, we will be delighted to host open houses and tours.

Are you working with religious organizations to ensure that Reflection Park is a welcoming place for all faith traditions?

Yes, we are! We have been consulting with faith leaders and funeral homes that work with particular faith communities, and we intend to keep doing so. If you are part of a faith community and you would like to suggest that Reflection Park staff reach out to its leadership or membership, please let us know.

We believe that death unites people in our shared humanity across all faiths and backgrounds. As such, we intend to avoid sections separated by specific identities except where required by religious practice. We will have designated burial sections for Muslim families (Salaam Garden), Jewish families (Shalom Garden), and families who prefer to be in a multi-faith or nondenominational section (Peace Garden). When we can accept pre-need reservations, you will be able to select from these options.

What is the process for reserving a burial space?

We are frequently asked how to express interest in our offerings ahead of our opening. In response, we have created a place on our website where you can do just that. If you would like to be contacted as soon as we can offer pre-need arrangements, please complete the relevant information in our updated contact form and we will reach out to you as soon as we open.

You mentioned that families can participate in burials. How will that work?

Many people and cultures embrace the physical connection to the act of burial as a natural and meaningful part of the grieving process. Our goal is to ensure that families can be involved in as much of the burial process as they desire while also maintaining a safe environment for all Reflection Park visitors. We will have the necessary set-up for hand-filling graves, and cemetery staff will be available to assist as much as requested and needed.

Do I have to work with a funeral home? And how do home or blended funerals work?

In Maryland, you are not required to work with a funeral home. A funeral home can be helpful for body preparation, transportation, or filing necessary paperwork; however, some families may choose to handle all aspects themselves. Reflection Park will accommodate all such arrangements.

Also, one of our main goals is to help individuals better understand the entire process from death to burial so that they can make informed personal decisions about what is best for themselves and their families. We hope to provide further information sessions about this topic specifically in the near future.

How can I get involved?

We love this question and welcome your involvement in a variety of ways. Some ideas:

• Express your interest by (1) completing our contact form letting us know that you are interested in reserving a burial spot when we can start taking reservations and (2) planning to join us for an open house.

• Share your skills by emailing us! Current volunteer needs include, but are not limited to:

  • Nature photographers or videographers who are willing to help us capture imagery on-site

  • Artists who do architectural rendering (for example, a watercolor rendering of the gravesite mapping included above in this newsletter)

  • Landscape companies willing to help us create hiking trails

More ways to stay in touch….

In addition to our website and newsletter, Reflection Park has a social media presence on Instagram and Facebook. Please follow, share, and interact with us!

Reflection Park is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, and all donations are tax deductible. We are grateful for every dollar contributed in support of our mission to create a sacred place that celebrates the cycle of life, death, and renewal. More information can be found on our donation page.

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