The natural burial section in the Manson’s Landing Cemetery is now available to the community. The new section lies to the north of the conventional cemetery.

We are grateful to Bruce Ellingsen for purchasing and building the beautiful split rail fence that encloses the natural burial area, and Dancing Wolf and Mark Christian for their helping hands. It was a big job, and Bruce cheerfully worked on it day after beautiful fall day.

The next task in this section of the cemetery, besides minimal but much needed landscaping, is to build a memorial structure and walking gate near the entrance. Although each grave can be marked with a biodegradable marker, the future memorial structure will be a permanent place to commemorate each one buried there.

In a natural burial the non-embalmed body is clothed or wrapped in biodegradable material such as cotton, linen, or wool. Optionally, it is placed in a biodegradable box preferably made from locally sourced materials. The grave is dug shallow enough to allow for rapid natural decomposition, but deep enough so the body will not be disturbed by wildlife. Families are welcome to plant native vegetation above the grave, and place whatever is meaningful on it, as long it is biodegradable.

Southern Cortes Community Association (SCCA) volunteers manage the burials in the cemetery in Manson’s Landing. Contact information can be found in the Community Bulletin Board section of the Cortes Phone Book. The cemetery is available to Cortes residents past and present and, thanks to the many volunteers who have been involved over the years, the burial plots are free.