Public Interest Survey

Natural State Burial Association/Sanctuary Cemetery

In an effort to address the environmental impact of perpetual care cemeteries, the carbon footprint of cremation, and the high cost of conventional burial, Natural State Burial Association continues to promote the concept of earth burials and to seek the establishment of natural burial sites across Arkansas.

Recently, a landowner working with the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust approached NSBA with the offer to include within their trust an earth burial cemetery. We are thrilled to announce that the process is under way to make this happen during the coming year.

The project will be known as Sanctuary Cemetery.

Please help us by completing this questionnaire. Your input is vital to our success. Additional comments and feedback are welcome.

Question Title

* 1. The following terms are interchangeable and all are used to refer to this form of burial. Though these words indicate the same concept, please indicate the one you prefer:

Green Burial

Earth Burial

Natural Burial

Conservation Burial

Traditional Burial

Question Title

* 2. Sanctuary Cemetery will not accept an embalmed body for burial. Embalming is toxic, harmful to workers and the environment, and offers no protection from health risks. It provides only temporary cosmetic preservation of the body and is NOT required by law in any state. Which of these completely legal alternative methods would you consider?

Buried within 24 hours

Held in morgue/ cold storage or refrigerated unit until burial

Kept at home on dry ice or gel ice packets until burial

Kept at home in cooled room until burial

Question Title

* 3. Sanctuary Cemetery will allow only bio-degradable burial containers. We encourage you to explore the wide variety of available containers or wrappings, whether hand crafted or commercially produced. A funeral home must accept and utilize the burial container you present. Which would you prefer?

Old-Fashioned Pine Box

Shroud, Sheet, or Family Quilt

Reusable Heirloom Display Casket

Wicker Basket

Homemade Coffin

Cardboard Casket Kit

Question Title

* 4. Sanctuary Cemetery will operate by the standards of certification for a conservation cemetery as set forth by the Green Burial Council. Criteria include, but are not limited to the terms listed below. Please check the items listed below that you most appreciate about the operation plan for the cemetery. You may indicate what most concerns you in the space below.

No embalmed bodies

Only Bio-degradable burial containers or wraps

Shallow graves, within active aerobic soil level (3 ft deep)

No concrete vaults or grave liners

No monuments: engraved flat native stones, GPS coordinates, and plat maps used for grave location and identification

No silk or plastic flowers or artificial grave decoration

No pesticides/No Herbicides used

Eradication of invasive species, addition of native plants only

Applied wildlife preservation plan

Hand-dug graves, when possible/no routine use of heavy equipment

Foot traffic only in wilderness preserve areas and on nature trails

Plots can be purchased that include space for pet burials

Allow open and inclusive spiritual expression, rituals, and celebrations

Concern:

Question Title

* 5. The cemetery will operate under the Natural State Burial Association, a non-profit community organization. Would you like information on volunteer positions or support opportunities?

Yes, I would like to be a supporting friend/volunteer.

No, I am not interested in this organization.

Question Title

* 6. Are you able to make an endowment, donation, or financial contribution to the development and operations of Sanctuary Cemetery?

Yes, let's talk money!

Not at this time

Question Title

* 7. Would you like to be informed of the progress of the Sanctuary Cemetery and learn when the cemetery opens and plot sales begin?

Yes, keep me informed.

Nope, not interested.

Question Title

* 8. Would you like to receive a planning packet for this type of burial and a list of the legal documents you should have prepared ahead of time?

Yes, I want to know my options and make some plans.

No, I already have my documents prepared, my plans are set.

Question Title

* 9. Can you suggest a group, club, or publication that would be interested in a presentation or an interview on our Sanctuary Cemetery project and the natural burial movement?

Suggested Contact/Referral

Phone / Email

Question Title

* 10. Please let us know your name. The survey can not be tallied without some identification. Privacy Statement: Neither NSBA nor Sanctuary Cemetery will ever sell, rent, trade, loan, or disclose your personally identifiable information to outside parties.

Name

Email / Phone

Address

Your Age Range: 18-30 or 31-50 or 51-65 or over 65