Farm Now A "Natural" Cemetery
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Dick Gallien is looking forward to being buried on his own farm someday. Nearly 80, the wiry, creative farmer isn’t in a hurry to die, but when he does, he knows his body won’t be going far. He has designated a three-acre field as The Meadow, a natural cemetery. It sits on the 175-acre farm Gallien bought in 1954.
The idea of natural burial is to place the body in a shallow grave, wrapped or enclosed only in a biodegradable material like cotton cloth, cardboard or even a wood box. As the materials break down and get absorbed into the soil, so does the body.
When Gallien approached his local town board with the idea, they asked his neighbors. Two supported him, saying they would like to be buried there. Only one had any concern and that was that the site not be near his property. Since The Meadow is surrounded by woods, a stream and fields, that neighbor’s concern was satisfied.
“I did it all without a lawyer and with the township board’s full support,” says Gallien. “It had to be surveyed for $2,500. Total cost was only $3,000.”
For Gallien and the township board, the burial site also represents a protection against the nearby city of Winona, Minnesota annexing the farm and the township.
“One board member said, ‘I wish we could have one of these on every farm in the township’,” recalls Gallien. “My farm was already protected because I signed up for a conservation easement with the Minn. Land Trust, but they can trade properties if they want. The natural burial will give it double protection.”
Because the easement prohibits operating any non-farm business on the land, Gallien won’t charge for burial in his cemetery. However, he can and will accept donations.
Gallien plans to build a gazebo overlooking a nearby stream and share it and nearby trails with families. Body placement will be in rows. Each burial site will be marked by GPS coordinates and magnetized nails that surveyors use. The Meadow has full approval, but is waiting for its first burial.
“I only received approval in late May, so the word is just getting out,” he says. “I’ve already had a number of people tell me they want to be buried here.”
Gallien’s wife, Susan, raises Gypsy horses and has ordered a carriage to transport family members to The Meadow and back after burial. There will also be a horse-drawn wagon for transport of the body.
No markers will be allowed; however, native wildflower and grass plantings above each burial site will be encouraged.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, The Meadow, 22501 East Burns Valley Rd., Winona, Minn. 55987 (ph 507 454-3126; themeadow@winona-mn.us; www.themeadow.winona-mn.us). Jim Ruen, Contributing Editor
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Farm Now A Natural Cemetery FARM HOME Miscellaneous Dick Gallien is looking forward to being buried on his own farm someday Nearly 80 the wiry creative farmer isn’t in a hurry to die but when he does he knows his body won’t be going far He has designated a three-acre field as The Meadow a natural cemetery It sits on the 175-acre farm Gallien bought in 1954 The idea of natural burial is to place the body in a shallow grave wrapped or enclosed only in a biodegradable material like cotton cloth cardboard or even a wood box As the materials break down and get absorbed into the soil so does the body When Gallien approached his local town board with the idea they asked his neighbors Two supported him saying they would like to be buried there Only one had any concern and that was that the site not be near his property Since The Meadow is surrounded by woods a stream and fields that neighbor’s concern was satisfied “I did it all without a lawyer and with the township board’s full support ” says Gallien “It had to be surveyed for $2 500 Total cost was only $3 000 ” For Gallien and the township board the burial site also represents a protection against the nearby city of Winona Minnesota annexing the farm and the township “One board member said ‘I wish we could have one of these on every farm in the township’ ” recalls Gallien “My farm was already protected because I signed up for a conservation easement with the Minn Land Trust but they can trade properties if they want The natural burial will give it double protection ” Because the easement prohibits operating any non-farm business on the land Gallien won’t charge for burial in his cemetery However he can and will accept donations Gallien plans to build a gazebo overlooking a nearby stream and share it and nearby trails with families Body placement will be in rows Each burial site will be marked by GPS coordinates and magnetized nails that surveyors use The Meadow has full approval but is waiting for its first burial “I only received approval in late May so the word is just getting out ” he says “I’ve already had a number of people tell me they want to be buried here ” Gallien’s wife Susan raises Gypsy horses and has ordered a carriage to transport family members to The Meadow and back after burial There will also be a horse-drawn wagon for transport of the body No markers will be allowed; however native wildflower and grass plantings above each burial site will be encouraged Contact: FARM SHOW Followup The Meadow 22501 East Burns Valley Rd Winona Minn 55987 ph 507 454-3126; themeadow@winona-mn us; www themeadow winona-mn us Jim Ruen Contributing Editor
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