Frequently Asked Questions
If death occurs in a neighboring state, it is often feasible and economical to transport the deceased by vehicle to a funeral home near Great River for safekeeping until interment. Great River can coordinate both the transportation and safekeeping of your loved one.
If death occurs further away, the body will need to be transported to a local funeral home near the place of death for safekeeping. Great River can arrange for the transportation of your loved one from this third-party funeral home to a funeral home closer to Great River, where they will be safely kept until the time of burial at Great River.
When a loved one passes, you would contact Great River Natural Burial. We will coordinate the transportation of your loved one, and their safe keeping until interment at Great River. If your loved one is to be interred at Great River but their passing is out of this area, depending on the distance, you may need to utilize the services of a local funeral home to safekeep your loved one and obtain their death certificate. Great River will coordinate with this out of area funeral home to transport and safekeep your loved one until their interment at Great River.
Some families choose to perform the safekeeping and transportation of their loved one themselves. For information on handling after death care and transportation, visit www.oregonfuneral.org.
Generally, natural burials do offer some financial savings as compared to conventional burials. For example, there are no concrete vaults/liners or conventional embalming used in natural burial, and natural burial caskets and shrouds are less expensive than conventional alternatives.
No, although flame cremation is a simpler and often less expensive method of disposition, it is not considered environmentally friendly as its environmental footprint is considerable due to the use of fossil fuels and emissions. Alkaline hydrolysis is a water-based process that uses less energy and produces fewer carbon emissions than cremation. There is not a lot currently known about the health and safety of the liquid resulting from alkaline hydrolysis being released in the wastewater system. Great River respects each end-of-life choice and provides the service of in-ground scattering for remains resulting from cremation and alkaline hydrolysis. We mix the resulting bone ash/fragments with a soil amendment before burial to remove toxicity and add microbes and nutrients to the soil.
We do allow grave markers at Great River Natural Burial but it is not required. Whether to mark a grave is a personal choice. Marking a grave is not required due to our location system and cemetery records but can provide comfort and closure for family and friends, as well as serve to honor the memory of the deceased. Our grave markers balance signaling a special place while respecting the natural aesthetic of the land and meeting Green Burial Council Guidelines. To achieve this balance, all grave markers are stones sourced by and purchased from Great River Natural Burial. In addition to our stone marker option, we also offer a natural log marker option from salvaged timber from the property. This gives new life and purpose to the wood from trees that were impacted by wildfire, disease, or other natural causes.
Yes, at Great River Natural Burial you are permitted to plant a tree over a grave. The tree must be sourced by and purchased from Great River Natural Burial. We offer a choice of 3 different species native to our property: ponderosa pine, Douglas fir or white oak. We require the purchase of our custom care package when planting a seedling over a grave, which provides additional support for the seedling during the first 3 years of its life.
You may choose either a biodegradable casket or a shroud for natural burial. A Green Burial Council certified burial container can be obtained from Great River, or we can offer guidance on eco-friendly options. We also offer simple caskets built from salvaged timber from the property, from trees that have died from wildfire or pests, giving new life and purpose to the timber.
Yes, there are several ways to lower the cost of a burial.
- Pre-planning can lead to significant savings by avoiding the surcharges and additional fees associated with at-need burial arrangements.
- Paying by cash or check will save the 3% transaction fee associated with its use.
- Receive a 10% discount on every plot purchased after the first one, up to four plots at once in a single transaction, or when commitments are made during designated events.
- Receive a 20% discount on each plot purchased beyond the first 4, applicable when buying more than four plots at once in a single transaction.
- Additional discounts with the purchase of whole sections of the cemetery are available and variable.
To simplify cost comparison, our burial prices encompass everything needed for a natural burial that is not optional. Alongside this burial cost, you will need a burial container, such as a casket or shroud, and you may need transportation and safe keeping of your loved one until the time of interment. A Green Burial Council certified burial container can be obtained from Great River, or we can offer guidance on eco-friendly options. Great River can also make all the arrangements necessary for transportation and safe keeping of your loved one. An optional cost includes a memorial head stone, which, while offered at Great River, is not an obligatory item.
Yes, we offer 2nd and 3rd Interment Rights. This allows for the burial of one whole body and two cremains burials in the same plot. Only one whole body burial is permitted per plot. Each burial, whether whole body or cremains, requires the purchase of an Interment Right. All Rights of Interment for a full-size plot must be purchased prior to the first burial.
Winter burials are dependent upon the weather. We do have the ability to remove snow and thaw the ground to open a grave. We may charge additional fees in the event of snow and/or heavy freezing. We also open multiple graves prior to winter each season, to be prepared if a difficult winter prevents us from accommodating your burial. This would be a transfer of your interment right to a different plot which was prepared for a winter burial. We will work together to meet your needs during this time. If harsh winter conditions prevent winter burial, a funeral home can care for your loved one until the time burial is possible.
Yes, part of what makes natural burial special is the participation of loved ones in the burial process. This can include helping to dig the grave, decorating the grave, carrying and lowering the body, and closing the grave. We encourage those who wish to engage in the meaningful work of the burial process to participate.
Yes, receptions can be held in the cemetery. We can rent tables, chairs, and a canopy for an outdoor gathering.
We are open from 9 am to 5 pm daily except for federal holidays. Please contact us if you would like to have a gathering of more than 6 people.
Arranging plans for the end of life prior to passing has several benefits both for the individuals and their loved ones. These benefits include peace of mind, personal autonomy, relieving burdens on loved ones, ensuring desired care and treatment, and financial considerations.
It is important to note that end-of-life planning can involve various aspects in addition to interment rights and burial, such as creating a will, establishing healthcare proxies or advanced health directives, and documenting funeral preferences.
Great River Natural Burial is under no obligation to buy back interment rights or provide refunds. Interment Rights can be transferred or sold to another person in writing; an Interment Right transfer fee will apply.
Yes, Great River Natural Burial is permanently dedicated as a cemetery, a commitment that is legally recorded on its deed with the county and with the state. This designation ensures that the land will be used exclusively as a cemetery in perpetuity. To guarantee the ongoing care and maintenance of the grounds, including access, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Interment Rights is invested in an Endowment Care Fund. This fund is both irrevocable, irreducible and overseen by the state, securing resources for the perpetual upkeep of Great River for the enjoyment and solace of its visitors and long term residents.
