Home News 

Story

Town May Offer Do-It-Yourself Funeral Site

Posted: 9:31 am EST December 28, 2005Updated: 2:33 pm EST December 28, 2005

A family in St. George, Vt., wants to turn 50 acres of undeveloped land into a natural burial ground for do-it-yourself funerals.

One of the people proposing the plan, Lisa Carlson, said families could actually dig a grave or pick a spot to leave cremated remains -- no caskets, no concrete vaults and no embalming.

"The idea of a garden park and nature reserve just makes so much sense," she said.

The town select board has the final say on what happens to the land. No decision has been made yet, but the board's chair said the land might be better suited for commercial or residential use.

Plans for similar natural burial grounds also are being considered in California, Ohio and Wisconsin.

More Headlines

2 Investigates

Scientists at the Georgia Aquarium have disturbing new research ... and what they're finding in ocean creatures could have massive implications for Georgians. Channel 2 Action News reporter Linda Stouffer got a close up look. Watch Video ››
Pt. 2 Georgia Aquarium Researchers Conduct Seafood Testing
DOLPHIN RESEARCH WEB EXTRAS: marineland.net | RAW VIDEO: Swimming With Dolphins | Fish Consumption Guidelines | Seafood Advisory Areas


A local police major says he's been removed from hiring and recruitment ... a result of sexual harassment allegations by two women. Channel 2 Action News investigative reporter Mark Winne has the latest. Watch Video ››


Federal law forbids paying welfare benefits to immigrants -- even legal immigrants. But a government investigation found that states all over the country are ignoring an important part of that law. When Channel 2 Action News reporter Richard Belcher asked Georgia's Department of Human Services what it was doing, the answer was: We don't know.

A Channel 2 investigation is exposing critical 911 delays. Dozens of Channel 2 viewers called and e-mailed us and said they were put on hold during emergencies. Investigative reporter Jodie Fleischer spent months requesting and digging through records. While the city of Atlanta still hasn't provived all of what we asked for, Fleischer has uncovered what appears to be a 911 emergency.

Channel 2 Investigates uncovers government waste , fraud and abuse. Full Story ››