Life Forest

Life Forest to honor forgotten remains of Oregon State Hospital patient after 85 years. Life Forest Whistle Ridge is set to honor the memory of William R. Harland, a patient who passed away at the Oregon State Hospital in 1939, with a special burial service on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at 11:00 AM. This poignant event is part of Life Forest's ongoing mission to provide dignity and remembrance to every individual, regardless of their circumstances. In 2016, the family of William R. Harland, a relative of one of the stewards of Life Forest Whistle Ridge, became aware of his unclaimed cremated remains found among over 3,500 sets at the Oregon State Hospital. William passed away in 1939, but for decades, his remains were lost to time and memory, hidden away in a corroded copper canister marked with the number 2322. The Oregon State Hospital, once a place of supposed care, became a symbol of neglect and forgotten lives. Thousands of patients’ cremated remains were stored in copper canisters, only to be discovered in various states of corrosion and disrepair decades later. These individuals, many of whom had no family to claim them, were left in a state of anonymity and abandonment. The discovery of these canisters exposed a dark chapter in the history of mental health care and the treatment of society's most vulnerable members. The documentary "Library of Dust" sheds light on this heart-wrenching story. It explores the discovery of these unclaimed copper canisters, each holding the cremated remains of individuals who once lived, loved, and mattered. Through powerful imagery and narratives, the film addresses themes of memory, loss, and the inherent dignity of every human life. Ultimately, it reminds us of our responsibility to honor those society has often overlooked. William R. Harland's remains, received by his family in Maine, will finally be laid to rest with the care and respect he deserves. This burial is not only a personal family reunion but also a broader symbol of our commitment to remembering and respecting every life. You can watch the trailer for "Library of Dust" here if you wish: https://lnkd.in/eyS9GW89 There is also a beautiful book of photography by David Maisel here: https://lnkd.in/ext_ivdU #deathcare #mentalhealth #dignity #burial #lifeforestcemetery #auburnmaine

Mel Bennett of Life Forest is joining us at BUILDING BRIDGES 2024! Mel will join us for Panel 2: Affordability in Deathcare. What are the current systems in place to promote affordable deathcare? Panelists will discuss indigent death programs across the United States and court-appointed Public Guardianship Burial Programs. More about Mel and The Life Forest: The concept of Life Forest was created by Mel and her desire to bury her mother in a place that did not yet exist. Her dream of a space unlike any other where healing would be found through nature by burying cremains under trees, but also having the protective qualities of a traditional cemetery became a mission within reach thanks to the talents and efforts of the people introduced here. As the concept designer and co-founder for this non-profit cemetery approach, and with graduate studies in Leadership and a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Sociology Mel has always been intrigued by the human condition and how our life experiences such as pain, illness, belief, community, tradition, and family can shape us. Mel believes that a genuine kindness and respect for others, as well as the situations that have shaped people's lives, is the starting point in achieving that feeling of fulfillment that we all deserve to have. Life Forest is a Non-Profit Conservation Cemetery: We hold a profound belief that connecting with nature is not just an experience but also a source of healing. Life Forest is not a traditional cemetery—it's a sanctuary for celebrating life and eternal rest. As leaders in our field, we set the standard for eco-friendly practices in conservation burials, providing recorded GPS-mapped deeded rights to each burial plot, and offering legal protection under cemetery law.expand these systems to provide compassionate and culturally sensitive care for all. — BUILDING BRIDGES 2024 is jointly hosted by the Funeral Consumers Alliance, National End of Life Doula Alliance, National Home Funeral Alliance and People's Memorial Association. Spaces are going fast! Register today to join us virtually or in-person in Seattle, WA for BUILDING BRIDGES 2024. Learn more about our speakers, conference schedule, and more & register at https://lnkd.in/g5bvs9A9.

Explore Life Forest with Our Guided Tours! This week, our guided tours are scheduled for: 📌 Thursday, 6/13 at 1 PM - Life Forest (Hillsborough, NH) 📌 Saturday, 6/15 at 11 AM - Life Forest Whistle Ridge (Auburn, ME) Can’t make it this week? No problem! We will have many tours scheduled throughout the summer and offer individual tours by appointment. Check out the events tab on our Facebook page to RSVP for upcoming tours. To schedule an individual tour, contact Danielle at inquiries@thelifeforest.com or 603-315-0790. We look forward to sharing the beauty and serenity of Life Forest with you! 🌳❤️ #conservationcemetery #auburnmaine #hillsboroughnh #maine #newhampshire #cemetery #cemeteries #cemeterytour

It was so wonderful to see the outpouring of community support for the grand opening of Life Forest Whistle Ridge this past weekend! Thank you to the Mayor of Auburn, Maine, Jeff Harmon for enjoying the very first tour of Life Forest Whistle Ridge. #cemetery #auburnmaine #conservationcemetery

National Arbor Day, celebrated on the last Friday in April, is a day dedicated to planting and caring for trees. The holiday originated in the United States in 1872 when J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for planting trees. Morton’s idea was adopted, and the first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska with the planting of about one million trees. At Life Forest, every day is Arbor Day! Through our dedication to conservation burial practices and the planting of memorial trees, we’re fostering a legacy of environmental stewardship for generations to come. Join us in celebrating Arbor Day by planting a tree, supporting conservation efforts, or simply spending time in nature. 🌳❤️ #arborday #plantatree #lifeforest #lifeforestcemetery #conservation #ecofriendly #conservationcemetery #conservationburial #cemetery

We just published a new free course you might like. Caitlyn Hauke, PhD, RBP, CBSP(ABSA) and Life Forest Conservation Cemetery created “Becoming a Hybrid Cemetery” to help municipal cemeteries expand their offerings to meet the growing demand for more eco-friendly burial alternatives. https://lnkd.in/eVhGqgrV

Happy Earth Day! 🌎 Let’s celebrate the beauty and importance of our planet today, and every day! At Life Forest, we have created a space that promotes health, healing, and happiness by harnessing the energy of plants and reconnecting to our forests. As a pioneer in the burial process, we are committed to protecting the environment and maintaining the tradition of burial and perpetual care. Every small action makes a difference! 🌳❤️ #earthday #earthday2024 #earthdayeveryday #conservationburial #conservationcemetery #cemetery #sustainability

Do you love the concept of Life Forest, but don’t live close to New Hampshire? We can help families who reside anywhere in the world! 🌳❤️🕊️ Due to demand from our out-of-state families, we developed our Steward Program which focuses on the final deathcare needs of families who do not live close to Life Forest, as well as individuals who are local, but homebound. Life Forest’s Steward Program helps ease the burden of burial while still offering a personal and compassionate experience. This can be imperative for our families looking for help while navigating their grief and simultaneously dealing with all of the end-of-life details for their loved ones. Learn more about it on our website: https://buff.ly/3OXIwUI #lifeforest #faq #memorial #memorials #treeburials #treeburial #conservationburial #conservationcemetery #conservation #cemetery #ecofriendly #environmentfriendly #environmentallyfriendly #newhampshire #nh #outofstate #aroundtheworld #burial #cremation #cremationburial #whattodowithcrematedremains #alternativeburialoptions #deathcare

Spring is almost here, and we have some exciting events coming up at Life Forest! Save the dates for these upcoming events: 1️⃣ March 26: Discover Life Forest: Virtual Event 2️⃣ April 13: Pergola Building Day: Volunteer Event in Hillsborough, NH 3️⃣ May 18: Grand Opening: Life Forest Whistle Ridge in Auburn, ME For more info, head over to the Events tab on our Facebook page or 🔗https://lnkd.in/g-K3y4Wn #lifeforest #whistleridge #hillsboroughnh #hillsboronh #auburnme #auburnmaine #volunteerevents #communityengagement #virtualevent #cemetery #livingcemetery #conservationburial #conservationcemetery #memorial #woodlandburial #maine #newhampshire

Life Forest is thrilled to announce the grand opening of Life Forest Whistle Ridge in Auburn, Maine! Join us on Saturday, May 18th, from noon to 3 PM for this special event. Explore the cemetery grounds with guided tours every hour on the hour led by a Life Forest Cemetery Steward. Have your questions answered during our open forum and witness firsthand what a woodland burial plot looks like when prepared for burial. To schedule a personal tour of Life Forest Whistle Ridge, please email inquiries@thelifeforest.com. We look forward to welcoming you to this beautiful new location! Visit our FB Event page for more info: https://lnkd.in/eg8MBkJu #lifeforest #conservation #conservationburial #conservationcemetery #cemetery #auburnmaine #maine #mainebusiness #grandopening