BRATTLEBORO-A short documentary on Vermont's first Conservation Cemetery will be shown on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 5:30 p.m., in the main theater at the Latchis in downtown Brattleboro. Following the screening, there will be a Q&A session featuring founder and head cemeterian Michelle Hogle Acciavatti and the After Death Care Team at Brattleboro Area Hospice.
Admission is free, with donations to cover the cost of theater rental gratefully accepted.
From Earth to Earth, The Lost Art of Dying in America is presented by Vermont Forest Cemetery. They describe this 20-minute documentary as showcasing "the beauty and significance of natural burial. It explores the legalization of natural burial in Vermont and the opening and first burial at its first natural burial ground, Vermont Forest Cemetery, alongside one woman's journey to find her forever home at Greensprings Natural Burial Preserve, the third oldest natural burial ground in the United States."
This screening also provides an opportunity to learn more about the new after death care services Brattleboro Area Hospice will be providing for local hospice clients.
Vermont Forest Cemetery is a nonprofit cemetery which opened in October 2023. Its mission includes five branches - burial, conservation, arts, learning, and community - to help people connect meaningfully with the forest that they choose to sustain with their bodies when they die. Thanks to volunteers, they have developed trails and assisted over 14 families with burials. For more information about volunteering with Vermont Forest Cemetery, visit cemetery.eco/about and scroll to the bottom of the page.
This event is sponsored by Brattleboro Area Hospice, which provides a broad range of free services for living and dying well. To learn more, visit brattleborohospice.org or call 802-257-0775.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.