Step 1: Tour the Burial Ground

The first step to approaching a natural burial is to take a tour. Learn about how we operate, what future plans are in the works, and who is involved. We will provide you with a General Price List and written rules and regulations that explain what is allowed in the cemetery to share with family and friends, and answer any questions that come up then and in the future

Step 2: Discuss Your Plans with Your Family and Friends

Once you have made your decision, discuss your plans with your next-of-kin, or a person you designate to make your arrangements. This can be the person your state law recognizes as the next-of-kin or a person you designate in a signed and witnessed form that identifies an agent to take on that role instead. If you have more than one child who will share responsibility, make sure you speak to all of them. Friends can be invaluable in helping sort out priorities and plans.
  • Identify someone you trust to carry out your funeral wishes, separate from your Health Care Proxy or the Executor of your will, unless you specifically want them to execute both roles.

Step 3: Educate Your Funeral Arranger

Your next-of-kin is legally allowed to retain custody and control of the body in the home for a period of time prior to burial in every state. Hiring a funeral home to do some or all of the details works as well. Discuss your wishes with your funeral arranger to be sure there is a clear blueprint for what they are expected to do. To learn more about home and blended funerals in New Hampshire, go toNH Funeral Resources.
  • Thinking about the details of funerals and estates is a lot to take on. Here is a workbook that can serve as an organizer and a record for you and for those carrying out your wishes: Before I Go, You Should Know, Funeral Consumers Alliance.
  • Our volunteer crew is ready to assist with logistics and burials, so if you are concerned about having enough hands during the burial, we can help.

Step 4: Purchase a Right to Interment

​Natural burial grounds, like conventional cemeteries, actually sell the right to be buried on the property, not a piece of real estate for eternity. At Oliverian, we will do our best to honor preferences for burial areas with the caveat that weather and other circumstances may require an alternative site. We are happy to discuss our policy regarding burial location planning and contingency plans for winter burial with you.

Contact a representative:  
Once you have decided to purchase a burial right, a representative will walk you through completing an interment contract, liability waiver, and other forms, and give you paper copies of the General Price List, Rules and Regulations, and the Visitor’s Guide. Your full payment completes the transaction. Should you or the next-of-kin change your minds, we will purchase the right back at the original sale price per New Hampshire state law.

Step 5: Obtain a Container

This can be a shroud make of cotton, linen, hemp, or wool. Or it could be a softwood casket, preferably made of pine, or one made of willow, bamboo, or seagrass. The burial ground will require that your container be made of biodegradable material without manmade fillers, finishes, glues, or metal parts. The burial ground may also have allowable dimensions for caskets if you choose to make your own. To find locally made containers, go to Funerary Artisans Collective, or NH Funeral Resources. You cannot be penalized for providing your own container if you hire a funeral home to assist with the funeral.
  • You can also make your own, or have a friend make one for you. We can help connect you to local makers.

Step 6: Design Your Final Affair

You can design a service yourself by choosing music, writings, stories, verses, and images that you can organize yourself or provide to celebrants, clergy, or family and friends to polish. To learn more about creating meaningful and authentic ceremonies, check out Create Ceremony.
  • We have a short list of local officiants and celebrants to call if you’d like local assistance.

When the time comes

Next-of-kin, a designated agent, or a funeral home representative contacts Oliverian directly to arrange the burial day and time. If the burial right has already been purchased, preparation for burial at the cemetery can begin immediately. If the burial right has not been purchased ahead of time, the paperwork and payment must be completely processed prior to preparation of the burial space.

safeguarding ecological integrity through natural burial