The Preserve at All Saints Cemetery accepted a 2015 Landscape Architectural Sustainability award on Oct. 1 in Ann Arbor for its innovative, green burials.
A green burial is one last thing a person can do to lesson their carbon imprint on Earth, said Russ Burns, director.
“We have people coming here to Michigan from around the United States. We believe we will continue to see more people opting out of traditional methods,? Burns said.
Green burial embodies the biblical proverb in Genesis, “From dust thou came, and to dust thou shall return,? he said.
“It is actually a process popular in Europe 25 years ago,? Burns said. ‘We are seeing the concept come full circle.?
Green burials involves simpler choices that save money and even nourish the environment.
“It offers more options to individuals and their loved ones,? Burns said.
Since there is no embalming or grave liners, there is less cost.
“With green burial you are buried in environmentally friendly materials like woven bamboo or paper mache materials,? he said.
Burns and Landscape Architect Jack Goodnoe accepted the award during a ASLA Awards dinner in Ann Arbor, presented for 30 years to work with exceptional landscape, architectural design, landscape planning analysis and architectural sustainability.
Located in Waterford bordering Independence Township on Lake Maceday and Lotus Lake, The Preserve offers a variety of burial options that reduce impact to the environment.
Among the 50 acres of rolling and untouched natural landscape, a final resting place can now can be among wildlife sanctuaries, natural habitats and food sources for Earth’s creatures.
Part of The Preserve’s mission is to remain as untouched by gravestones and markers as possible while honoring the burial process, so 15 acres of land is non-visitation.
In the non-visitation area, the departed are honored on an English sheepfold wall, a wall in which stones fall into place naturally.
The Preserve will open in six phases.
‘Right now we have room for 1,800 people,? he said.
All Saints, part of the Mt. Elliot Cemetery Association, was opened in 1979. The Preserve opened in 2012.
Thanks to the Preserve’s concept, design and guidance to other cemeteries, green burials are now being offered in Royal Oak and Utica, with more to follow.
The Preserve is also environmentally conscious in regards to treating invasive species and care for the environment.
Naturalists, local land conservancy groups and professional concepts are consulted often, he said.
The cemetery hired local consultant Jim Brueck to treat phragmites, an invasive species on the property. Other work includes adding native plants like milkweed, an important food source for butterflies.
Brueck and Mark Lowrie of Lowrie’s Landscape also received awards for their work in The Preserve. Lowrie laid the natural roadway into the preserve by using road millings from another project in the cemetery. The Preserve and All Saints is part of the Mt. Elliot Cemetery Association, which has six cemeteries in southeast Michigan. All Saints also offers traditional burials. Call 248-623-9633 or visit www.mtelliott.com/thepreserve.