Great River Natural Burial Opening Celebration

Join us for a meaningful afternoon of learning, connection, and community as we celebrate the opening of our natural burial ground. Hear from authors and leaders in conservation and natural burial, experience a symbolic natural burial ceremony, tour the grounds, and enjoy a relaxed gathering rooted in reverence, community, and care for the earth. Light snacks and beverages will be provided.

As part of the day’s events, attendees are invited to enter their name in a gift drawing for one Legacy Burial Plot - a final resting place rooted in environmental kindness offered as our gesture of gratitude to the community that has supported our vision.

Great River Natural Burial – Its Story and Vision

Russell Hargrave, co-founder of Great River Natural Burial and President of the Cemetery Association of Oregon Board

Author Talk - What is Green Burial and Why it is Important

Elizabeth Fournier, leader in sustainability, author of the Green Burial Guidebook: Everything You Need to Plan an Affordable, Environmentally Friendly Burial and owner of Cornerstone Funeral Services in Boring, Oregon

The Green Burial Council and its Role in Natural Burial

Rachel Essig, Green Burial Council Board Member and former Executive Director of River View Cemetery in Portland, Oregon

Author Talk - The Conservation Legacy - Caring for the Earth in Death as well as Life

Michelle Nijhuis, White Salmon resident, environmental journalist, and author of the award-winning book Beloved Beasts: Fighting for Life in the Age of Extinction.

What to Expect at a Natural Burial: A Burial Walk Through

Join us for a symbolic, hands-on walkthrough of a natural burial with acapella song led by co-founder and celebrant Suzanne Wright Baumhackl and songstress Heather Michet. We’ll guide you through the meaningful steps of a burial ceremony — honoring a life with rituals such as song, the lowering of a casket, and the backfilling of a grave. This mock burial offers a unique opportunity to experience or observe the process, showing how personal and meaningful a natural burial can be for you and your loved ones.

Founder Burial Ground Tour

Join co-founder Russell Hargrave for a guided tour of Great River Natural Burial. This 30-minute trail walk will explore the cemetery grounds, highlighting the native wildlife, diverse flora and fauna, and unique geology of the area. Learn how the land is preserved and cared for as part of our commitment to conservation and natural burial. Private tours are available for those with mobility needs—please reach out to arrange accommodation.

Self-Guided Tours - available all afternoon

Enjoy a self-guided tour of the cemetery grounds at your own pace, with map in hand to explore key features, burial areas, and points of natural beauty.

Display of Natural Burial Containers - available all afternoon

View a variety of simple, earth-friendly burial containers that highlight the beauty and intention behind natural burial. On display will be a woven wicker casket, a natural pine casket, and a handcrafted Great River casket made from salvaged timber milled on-site. You’ll also see a burial shroud and our handcrafted shrouding board, as well as our hand-drawn burial cart used during ceremonies.

We hope you can join us in the wildflower-filled meadows of Great River Natural Burial on May 17th.

Note:

Weather - typically mild during the month of May, please check the weather and dress accordingly, as this is an outdoor venue.

Accessibility - paved roads lead to designated handicap parking area adjacent to the trailhead, where speakers, displays, and gathering areas will be located. A gravel path with a moderate slope extends through the upper meadow leading to the site the symbolic natural burial with song will be held. If you have specific mobility needs, please reach out, we will do our best to accommodate your needs or arrange an alternative option.

Photography and filming - Please note that this event will be photographed or recorded, by attending the event you consent to be photographed, filmed or otherwise recorded, and you understand that Great River may use it for any purpose without limitation or restriction.

Also check out other Arts events in Mosier, Literary Art events in Mosier, Fine Arts events in Mosier.