Natural burials without embalming or vaults have been practiced for much of history. It wasn't until after the civil war that Americans stopped caring for their own dead, and even more recently that the majority began choosing cremation over burial. This past weekend our Operations Coordinator, Carly Zeffren, attended the Florida Folk Festival to teach about the ways our ancestors buried their loved ones, and how green burials conserve nature and protect Florida's native habitats. Hear more from Carly in her recent interview on NPR with Florida Historical Society's radio show Florida Frontiers (link below): https://myfloridahistory.org/sites/myfloridahistory.org/files/florida-frontiers-radio-show/ff593_draft2.mp3 (fb)

When I come to the end of my journey And I travel my last weary mile Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned And remember only the smile Forget unkind words I have spoken Remember some good I have done Forget that I ever had heartache And remember I’ve had loads of fun Forget that I’ve stumbled and blundered And sometimes fell by the way Remember I have fought some hard battles And won, ere the close of the day Then forget to grieve for my going I would not have you sad for a day But in summer just gather some flowers And remember the place where I lay And come in the shade of evening When the sun paints the sky in the west Stand for a few moments beside me And remember only my best "When I'm Gone" By Lyman Hancock (fb)