**As the pandemic altered communal spaces, many cemeteries are shifting towards natural landscapes, creating biodiverse habitats and engaging local communities.**
**Reimagining Rest: How Cemeteries Across America Are Embracing Nature**
**Reimagining Rest: How Cemeteries Across America Are Embracing Nature**
**Innovative burial grounds are transforming manicured lawns into flourishing ecosystems, inviting wildlife and communities into sacred spaces.**
Across the United States, cemeteries are undergoing a transformation, swapping pristine green lawns for lush, sustainable landscapes filled with native plants and wildflowers. From the East to the West Coast, this movement is redefining how we honor the deceased, while simultaneously enriching local ecosystems and community spaces.
Groundskeepers, conservationists, and volunteers are increasingly allowing grasses to grow taller by minimizing mowing, while pulling out non-native plant species in favor of indigenous flora. They are also adopting a pesticide-free approach, cultivating natural meadows instead of traditional turf.
During the pandemic, these burial sites, often the largest green spaces in urban areas, became natural gathering spots where people could reconnect with nature safely. For instance, Laurel Hill Cemetery in Pennsylvania witnessed a staggering doubling in visitor count in 2020, while Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery saw 200,000 new visitors.
This newfound appreciation for nature has allowed cemeteries to embrace meadow landscapes, once met with skepticism. “We’ve seen a huge sea change in terms of people’s willingness to accept this,” explains Joseph Charap, vice president of horticulture at Green-Wood, highlighting a community shift towards a more inclusive and welcoming landscape that provides solace and beauty.
As more visitors wander through the biodiverse spaces, the blend of remembrance and ecological healing presents a unique aspect of the American cemetery, ensuring they serve as serene retreats for both the deceased and the living alike.
Groundskeepers, conservationists, and volunteers are increasingly allowing grasses to grow taller by minimizing mowing, while pulling out non-native plant species in favor of indigenous flora. They are also adopting a pesticide-free approach, cultivating natural meadows instead of traditional turf.
During the pandemic, these burial sites, often the largest green spaces in urban areas, became natural gathering spots where people could reconnect with nature safely. For instance, Laurel Hill Cemetery in Pennsylvania witnessed a staggering doubling in visitor count in 2020, while Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery saw 200,000 new visitors.
This newfound appreciation for nature has allowed cemeteries to embrace meadow landscapes, once met with skepticism. “We’ve seen a huge sea change in terms of people’s willingness to accept this,” explains Joseph Charap, vice president of horticulture at Green-Wood, highlighting a community shift towards a more inclusive and welcoming landscape that provides solace and beauty.
As more visitors wander through the biodiverse spaces, the blend of remembrance and ecological healing presents a unique aspect of the American cemetery, ensuring they serve as serene retreats for both the deceased and the living alike.
