Blog - Page 3 of 5 - Carolina Memorial Sanctuary

Letting Go, Moving On: Reflections on Winter & Loss

Posted on Feb 13 2018 by Anthony Pranger

Blurred and blue winter scene of birch trees with snow underneath

Moving into 2018, we have all felt the bitter cold of winter. This season of raw, vast reflection is not an easy time for me, working primarily outdoors. I’m certain it is a challenging time for many as the cost to heat homes and maintain vehicles often increases in Winter. […]

Steward’s Log: Winter 2018

Posted on Jan 22 2018 by Anthony Pranger

Log with moss on it and the words "Steward's Log, Winter 18'"

A surprising number of families have been out to the Sanctuary in the last month. On cold and blustery days, guests bring their relatives who are in town for the holiday or vacation. While many of them have certainly been uncomfortable riding around in the golf cart with a blanket […]

Looking Back & The Road Ahead for 2018

Posted on Jan 04 2018 by Caroline Yongue

Joe pie weed with path running behind it.

3-½ years ago, the conversation began about a conservation burial ground in Mills River. Fast forward to today, and it is hard to believe how far we have come in such a short period of time. In December of 2015, we purchased the property. Most of 2016 was devoted to […]

Reflections of a Grave Digger

Posted on Dec 12 2017 by Anthony Pranger

The end of Autumn is fast approaching, and as I sit in front of a computer, warm and protected from the elements, I am grateful for the opportunity to share a little bit about my experiences digging the final resting places for a great many conscious and unique beings. Many […]

Creative Mornings: Getting Comfortable With Death

Posted on Dec 07 2017 by Carolina Memorial Sanctuary

The Sanctuary’s very own Cassie Barrett was the Guest Speaker for the Asheville chapter of Creative Mornings, where the theme for November was Death. From the Creative Morning’s Website: How do we prepare for life’s big event if we can’t talk about it or even think about it? We live […]

Fall 2017 Update : Controlled Burn & Grave Tracking

Posted on Nov 13 2017 by Anthony Pranger

Carolina Memorial Sanctuary is part of a fairly recent movement to bring more environmental consciousness and stewardship to the inevitable process of burying our deceased friends and loved ones, while at the same time holding dignified and compassionate space for a wide variety of cultural and spiritual traditions. Our undertaking […]

Cremated Remains: Options for Green Burial & Scattering

Posted on Oct 25 2017 by Cassie Barrett

Blog title over picture of buried cremated remains.

People generally fall into two camps when it comes to the disposition of their body after death: burial or cremation. A lot of factors influence that decision such as family tradition, cost, geographical location (lack of cemetery space), environmental impact, and some people just like the idea of one over […]

Grief a Love Story: Green Burials and Reverence for Death

Posted on Sep 07 2017 by Carolina Memorial Sanctuary

Woman with blue paint on her face. Title read, "Grief a Lvoe Story with Tara.

Ep 6 Cassie Barrett: Green Burials and Reverence for Death “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” What is one of the best things you can do to prepare for death? “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” Carolina Memorial Sanctuary team member, Cassie Barrett, was interviewed by Tara Caffelle from the podcast Grief: […]

Natural Burial of Paulus Berensohn

Posted on Aug 30 2017 by Carolina Memorial Sanctuary

Funeral procession for Paulus Berensohn led by a woman playing a fiddle.

Photo by Dan Bailey

Photo by Dan Bailey Last year when Paulus Berensohn learned about Carolina Memorial Sanctuary, he began preparing for the great event: the end of his life and his after death care. He purchased a cardboard coffin from Mourning Dove Studios, and invited his dear friends to assist in its decoration […]

Steward’s Log: Expending Lots of Energy

Posted on Aug 07 2017 by Anthony Pranger

Closeup of log with text overlay reading "Steward's Log Summer 17'"

With all the warm rainy days so far this year, the plants are in full growth mode. Wildflowers, especially in the milkweed and aster families, are blooming. Birds are busy, and it is hot and humid! The shift in season from Spring this year seems to have passed fairly quickly […]