Testimonials

“Russ handed me a small pink flag on a metal stake, “when you find the right spot, just mark it with this.”

With those words, I set out to explore the untamed lands of “Great River Natural Burial.” I passed by the graves of John and Judy Wright. Grasses and wildflowers now cover the spot where their bodies lie, distinguishable only by the large stone etched with their names.

A hawk soared overhead, changing course with a gentle tilt of its wings as it danced with the wind.

Months ago, I decided that the season of Easter would be a fitting time to choose a burial spot. No, I don’t have intentions of dying anytime soon. But it was a lovely day and the wildflowers were blooming — a perfect time to intermingle the inevitability of death with the wonder of living.

I found a spot for my flag at the base of a towering Ponderosa Pine. One side of the tree was blackened by wildfire—scarred yet sturdy—just like us.

We may not know how many days we have on this side of the soil. We may not know how many breaths we have left in these bodies, nor the strength of the winds or fires we will face.

Yet some things are clear: each moment is precious, each breath infused with God’s most amazing grace.”

“Thank you for being our guide for this important moment. I truly appreciate you.”

“All of us family and friends of [loved one] thank you both for the incredible experience of closure and completion that you helped us experience on [date]. It was perfect.”

“You brought out the sun, warmed our souls, and tamed the winds of fate. I’ll never again look at a burial mound the same, thank you very much. Your words were so perfect in so many ways, and your joy and wonder make me smile a lot.”

“Thank you for all your support, which has made this process as effortless yet connected as possible.”

“Thank you for the beautiful ceremony yesterday.  What an incredible day we had. Your heartfelt presence & attention to detail are much appreciated.”

“I became interested in natural burial as it aligns with my own viewpoint about how the circle of life includes how we find our final resting place. The environmental footprint of cremation or embalming just didn’t fit with my ethos, and when I found out that Great River was opening, I was thrilled. Not only because of its location not far from my beloved home, but based on meeting Russell and Stephanie, and realizing that their approach isn’t that of typical interment places. They both treasure nature, stewardship, conservation, and understand that in our passing, the “final act of environmental kindness” is to give ourselves back to the earth from which we came. My husband and I spent quite a bit of time learning about Great River’s vision and were amazed at how much nature is at the center of everything they do. When it came to choose a plot, the birdsong, deer, flowers, and natural beauty of the setting solidified our choice to be part of this process. From start to finish, Great River has been an amazing experience and I am very happy knowing that my final resting place will be in an area that pairs closely with my love of nature and the natural world.”

“For the past three years, I have been leasing facilities at Great River for my outdoor learning camps at Let’s Get Out and can say it has been an extraordinary experience. From the moment we arrived, it was clear that Great River was not just a place, but a community deeply committed to connecting people with nature. The staff at Great River took the time to understand our goals and needs, and meet them, with dedication and responsiveness. Great River is more than a facility to us at Let’s Get Out, they are a partner in our mission to inspire outdoor skills and habits that encourage life-long participation and connection for all people. The campers will remember the connections they are making to these woods for the rest of their lives, and we are grateful we are able to impact the lives of these children through holding our camps at Great River. I look forward to continuing our collaboration and connection with this remarkable place.”

“The site you are at for camp is amazing!! It definitely has a story to tell.  EJ loved camp so much. We saw the shelter Evan finished today.  EJ wants to go as much as he can next year. So cool! I thank you so much for sharing your awesomeness with all these kids. The experience you and the team of folks cultivated is such a gift.”

“Great River’s outdoor education camps are a welcome addition to the Mosier community. I sent my two daughters (ages 7 and 9) and they both came home each day tired out, happy, and full of stories. The ridgetop setting among the oaks and big trees is a magical place for kids to experience the joys of connecting with nature and exploring new friendships.”