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Policy, Practices, and Procedures at White Eagle Memorial Preserve

Natural Burial

1. No embalming.

2. Caskets made of wicker, willow, wood, cardboard or other biodegradeable materials only. No hardwoods, chemical varnishes, or stains.

3. Shrouds made of biodegradable material can be used. This includes cotton, wool, silk, hemp, and untreated leather.

4. No concrete vaults or grave liners of any kind.

5. Native species that have to be removed for interment shall be replanted and nourished. Families may assist in grave plantings which must be native seed or plant stock appropriate for the location as determined by White Eagle. Families will not prune, “weed” or otherwise harm native plants on or near the grave site. No artificial flowers, vases, statues, or other manufactured decorations are allowed. Any “grace adornments” must be biodegradable, made of all natural materials, and blend in with the surrounding landscape. WEMP staff reserve the right to remove articles of adornment from the Preserve at our discretion.

6. Families may not create a trail to the grave site or disturb surrounding landscape in anyway. In the case of large tree blow-down, staff should be notified. Picking wildflowers is prohibited.

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Monuments

1. Because of our specialized grid and location system, stone markers are not required. If desired however, stone memorials may be used and must be of native stone and consistent with the geology of the site. We can provide an appropriate stone on request. Stones brought from the outside must be approved prior to placement and must be no bigger than any stone within 50 feet of the grave.

2. In general, stones should be flat to the ground. Carvings or artwork other than names and dates must be approved by the White Eagle staff. In some cases, to create a more natural look, more than one stone can be used to create a monument, but such a marker must be pre-approved.

3. Wood markers should be lie flat to the ground, with natural lines (no rectangles) and stained with a milk-based finish, or unstained.

Burial Sites

1. Burial sites are 20×20 feet in size. These 400 square foot sites allow us plenty of room to determine the correct placement of the grave between existing landscape features. We will do our best to accommodate your specific wishes, yet grave placement within each deeded site is determined at the discretion of White Eagle.

2. The 20 acres of White Eagle uses a surveyed grid system with markers along A-G and 1-11 lines, forming a network of “regions,” containing up to 36 sites. Each region has also been given the name of a plant or animal species.

3. Site location records are maintained via hard copy files and electronic backup. Your deed will reflect your site location according to our grid system (example: A-5, Gray Fox, Site #14).

4. In order to schedule a burial at White Eagle, you must purchase a site for the deceased or contact us regarding an existing deed, and pay the Open/Close fee. Please provide us with the following information before the time of the burial:
   – Death Certificate (which includes name of deceased, date of death, date of birth)
   – Transit Permit (from County Health Department)
   – Designated Agent for deceased
   – Time and Date of Interment
   – Funeral Establishment (if any)
   – Names of Parents or Guardians if deceased is not an adult.

5. Only one person may be buried in each grave site. We are able to accept up to three cremated remains within each burial site, once a burial has occurred. Please see our price list for more information. Individuals wishing to be buried close to one another may purchase adjoining sites.

6. Your Deed reflects your Right to Interment – you may transfer your site to another person. If you purchase a site for yourself but, upon death, are buried elsewhere, then your site passes to your descendants or those named in your will.

7. Trails or temporary access lanes may traverse a corner of a burial site; they will never traverse an actual grave.

8. In this relatively dry region, graves may take many years to settle back to the original ground level and sometimes settle unevenly. All graves will be monitored over time for the best ecological “fit” for native plants and the local environment.

9. White Eagle Memorial Preserve can assume no liability for damage caused by acts beyond its control.

10. White Eagle site purchases are considered goods and services by the IRS, and are therefore not tax-deductible. Donations made to our Conservation Fund, however, may be deducted.

11. We do not refund site purchases - if your plans change, you may gift your site to our burial assistance fund, or gift or sell your site to a person of your choosing, and then please update your information with us.