The documentary Earthbound was filmed at the Cemetery this fall.
It has been a busy time at Vermont Forest Cemetery. Our official opening was 50 days ago, on October 7, 2023. Since that time over 150 people have come for tours of the Cemetery, and five Graveholders have been laid to rest in the forest.
We continue to do everything as a labor of love and trust: no one is paid except gravediggers, and we are very grateful to the volunteers that have helped us with everything from trail-building to supporting families on the day of burial. We feel especially grateful to, and humbled by, those families who chose Vermont Forest Cemetery as the final resting place for their loved ones and shared their stories with us.
We have come a long way in a short time and learned so much in the process. However, we also know that we have much work to do to fully realize our vision for the Cemetery. We (Michelle and Paul, together with the Cemetery Board) are all working hard, but we simply cannot do it all alone.
Six vital ways you can help VFC
1. Volunteer - This is a community effort. Volunteers are needed to help with trail building and maintenance, grave digging, serving as docents who can lead tours, and supporting visitors as ushers for burials and other events. If you wish to volunteer, contact us at sexton@cemetery.eco
2. Become a Graveholder - Buying your Burial Deed now allows you to reserve the right to burial, locks you into introductory pricing, and eliminates additional effort and expense for loved ones at what is always a difficult time. It also provides the Cemetery with revenue at a time when our expenses are high.
To learn all about how the process works, go to cemetery.eco/how. If you are ready to become a Graveholder at Vermont Forest Cemetery, you can fill out the application at cemetery.eco/apply.
3. Tell us what you do - Are you a woodworker or a fiber artist? A stone carver or a florist? We’re hoping to create a network of makers who can provide caskets, backboards, shrouds, and grave decorations. Are you a birder or a tracker? A forager or a tree enthusiast? If you want to lead walks in the cemetery about your passion, we’d love to have you serve as a docent so you can weave this into the story of the Cemetery.
4. Alert your local media – Most of you have found us by word of mouth. Telling your favorite media outlet about the Cemetery will allow others to learn about this new—and very ancient—way of giving back at the end of life.
5. Spread the word – Let your friends know about Vermont Forest Cemetery. Encourage them to visit the website, visit or arrange a tour, volunteer, donate, or become a Graveholder.
6. Donate – VFC is in the midst of a fundraising campaign to raise money for needed supplies and equipment, to improve accessibility, to extend our road and to begin our programming.
To make a tax-deductible donation, please go to cemetery.eco/support. And thank you. Every bit helps.
Why we do what we do
VFC in the Vermont Almanac
This year, we had the honor of being featured in the 4th edition of The Vermont Almanac, a compilation of a year’s worth of stories about “the people who inspire hope for the future of the land we all share.” Proceeds from all sales by the non-profit For the Land Publishing go towards future editions dedicated to “preserving and pioneering a rural way of life in an increasingly urbanized culture.” These are gorgeous books and you can pre-order a copy (https://vermontalmanac.org/order-donate/) , shipping in December.