Burial Ground Guidelines

Land Stewardship Team
Revised 11/14/09

Raven’s Ridge is to be the green burial site for Heartwood Cohousing, which will be known as Heartwood Woodland Burial Ground, with the following conditions:

• No burial sites within 50 feet of the water tower.
• No burial sites within 25 feet of a trail or 50 feet of a road.
• No burials to be located in a drainage or in a place where trees or bushes would need to be removed.
• No burials to take place within view of Heartwood homes.
• Grave sites must be kept free of noxious weeds.  Drought resistant plantings are allowed and family members are responsible for maintenance.
• Modestly sized grave markers made of natural material are encouraged.
• Bodies shall not be chemically preserved and clothing, shrouds, and coffins must be easily biodegradable.
• Only members, their immediate family, and former members may be buried in the Heartwood Woodland Burial Ground.
• Sites may be preselected and must be physically marked and monitored by the selector or their family.  If the markings are no longer clear and obvious, the site is no longer considered to be preselected.
• Ingress and egress for the site must not create undue environmental damage.
• Memorial benches may be erected in the Heartwood Woodland Burial Ground, whether or not a person is buried there.
• Pets may be buried in the burial ground or elsewhere at Heartwood.
• Cremation ashes may be buried in the burial ground or scattered elsewhere on Heartwood property.
• Grave sites may be visited by friends or family in the future.
• All laws of Colorado and La Plata County in regard to burials will be followed.