Frequently Asked Questions

BURIAL OPERATIONS

  • Reflection Park is currently under development with an anticipated opening by the end of 2024. This is our best estimate at this point, though there are many factors, some of which are beyond our control, that will determine our actual opening date. We expect to keep everyone updated on our opening plans through this website and our mailing list.

  • If you would like to be contacted as soon as we can offer pre-need arrangements, please complete the relevant information in our updated contact form and we will reach out to you as soon as we open.

  • Yes. We believe that all humans are created equally and that we will all humbly return to the earth from which our bodies came. Everyone will be welcome to bury their loved ones or visit regardless of faith or identity.

  • We strive to keep Reflection Park as natural a space as possible. Therefore, we will require anything placed into the ground to be readily biodegradable as much as possible. Interments must adhere to the following:

    ● caskets and shrouds must be made completely from naturally biodegradable materials. Examples of acceptable shroud materials are cotton, linen, and bamboo. Examples of casket materials are pine, bamboo, rattan, willow, seagrass, and cardboard. These are not exhaustive lists.

    ● no metals, plastics, concrete, synthetic fibers (such as polyester or nylon) nor other synthetic materials and varnishes are allowed.

    ● embalming of any kind is not allowed (see next question for why)

    ● battery packs or pulse generators of pacemakers, defibrillators, and other reasonably accessible implanted electronics must be removed from the body. Leads, wires, or tubing that are engrafted in the body need not be removed.

    ● tooth fillings and inaccessible implanted hardware like metal knees and hips do not need to be removed

    As we gain more experience, we may modify this list.

  • We strive to promote the unimpeded return of the body to the soil. The naturally occurring bacteria in and on our bodies (our microbiome) play a very important role in decomposition of the body. Embalming of any kind, even with “green” embalming fluids, disrupts the microbiome and interferes with the natural biodegradation process. Moreover, effective and non-invasive alternatives to embalming are readily available to give time for making burial arrangements (see next question).

  • No. There is time. Decomposition of the body after death can be slowed sufficiently through cooling. Dry ice and refrigeration are the most commonly used methods. Done appropriately, a body can be kept for weeks while burial arrangements are made.

  • We acknowledge your generosity and willingness to contribute to the cause of science and education. Bodies donated to medical schools for anatomical education or for research purposes are typically embalmed and usually end up being cremated. We can accommodate burial of cremains regardless of previous embalming status. In situations where there is no cremation, we can accommodate burial as long as other interment requirements are followed. The institution or organization that handles donation can let you know how your body will be handled.

  • A bit of both. We want to preserve the natural character of the land as much as possible. As such, we will maintain some existing trees and clear others in small areas at a time. New hardwood trees will be planted in cleared areas.

  • This burial strategy is typically used for conservation or woodland burial grounds, where the main goal is to preserve land. As a result, burial density is low because graves are dug sparsely to avoid significant tree root damage. Natural burial grounds, such as Reflection Park, try to balance between preserving land and increasing burial space. The burial strategy in this case involves burying around existing trees where possible, clearing land in small areas where necessary, and replanting trees around burial areas.

  • There are two reasons why we would not do this. First, if we planted a tree on top of a grave, digging adjacent graves would risk damaging the roots of the newly planted tree. Second, if the tree were damaged or died, we would not want a family to connect the demise of that tree with their loved one. However, we do expect to plant new trees and maintain existing trees strategically throughout burial sections such that every grave will be within approximately 20 feet of at least one tree.

  • Each full body grave plot will occupy a 4’x10’ area. The actual grave pit, however, will be 3’x7’ or smaller depending on the size of body. We expect a maximum density of 600 graves per acre, as per Green Burial Council standards for a natural burial ground.

  • Yes. Graves at Reflection Park will be dug to a depth of approximately 4 feet, which will allow a soil cover thickness of at least 2.5 to 3 feet not including the mounding of soil over a newly filled grave. This thickness is more than the recommended amount by the Green Burial Council, and is more than enough to prevent any attraction by wild animals.

  • We believe that death unites people around our shared humanity across all faiths and backgrounds. As such, we intend to avoid sections separated by specific identities except where required by religious practice.

  • An entrance gate will span the frontage of the property. Through the gate, one may see trees, grasses, an entrance pavilion, and the roofs of the office and storage buildings. One will not see any upright headstones, mausoleums, or other overt memorials that are typical of conventional cemeteries, as all memorial stones will be flush with the ground. The closest burial areas to entrance will be nearly 300 feet from the road (that is, the length of a football field) and behind vegetation, so any burial sites will be quite difficult, if not impossible, to see. Our vision is to make this look and feel like a nature park. Here is an approximate rendition of the entire property when it is fully built.

  • We do not intend to impose any limits on the number of guests attending a funeral.

  • Yes. Reflection Park will be required to conform to all requirements of the Maryland Office of Cemetery Oversight.

  • Yes. The Maryland Office of Cemetery Oversight requires most cemeteries to establish a perpetual care fund that will provide for the care and maintenance of the cemetery grounds, roads, and buildings in perpetuity. Reflection Park will have such a perpetual care fund.

  • Reflection Park’s property is currently a wooded lot and rather densely vegetated in many parts. We expect to start construction in spring 2024. After we open, we will be happy to host visitors to walk the site.

  • We wish to offer families and visitors a conducive environment in which to reflect upon the gift of Life that loved ones continue to provide even after death. As a green burial ground, Reflection Park will offer families and visitors a natural setting in which to reflect on this gift.

BURIAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

  • Each burial package includes burial rights for a specific grave plot, interment, and a memorial marker. We say “burial rights” because individuals do not actually own the property of the grave plot; they own the right to a burial in a specific grave plot, while the property is owned and maintained by Reflection Park. Interment includes all the costs involved in digging, filling, and maintaining the grave and surroundings. Memorial marker includes the stone, its engraving, and installation.

  • While we haven’t completely worked out the numbers, we expect a full body grave plot, all interment-related costs, and memorial stone will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $4500 to $5000.

  • Markers will be flat stones that lie flush with the ground. We will specify limitations with regard to size, materials, and inscription. We will strive to accommodate family preferences while also maintaining the natural character of the land.

  • Yes, we will offer pre-need purchase arrangements for families to secure a site before death to simplify planning and arrangements. Once we open, we will be in a position to meet with families and help make these arrangements.

  • Yes, multiple grave packages can be purchased together.

  • Yes. We will offer graves for use right after death (called at need) as well as graves that can be reserved years ahead of time (called pre-need)

  • Yes, we expect to offer a limited selection of burial shrouds and caskets that conform to natural burial standards.

BURIAL OF CREMATED REMAINS (CREMAINS)

  • Yes. While we encourage full body burial for its many benefits, we appreciate that individuals may opt for cremation for various reasons, and we will accommodate families’ needs accordingly. Cremains will be mixed with a soil amendment that reduces their alkalinity and promotes their degradation.

  • We are still determining if and how we will accommodate scattering of cremains.

  • Yes, cremains can be included alongside a full body burial. We would treat the cremains the same way we would if we were interring the cremains alone; that is, we would mix them with a soil amendment to reduce their alkalinity and promote their degradation. This would apply to either human or household pet cremains.

FUNERAL HOMES

  • Yes. We will coordinate body preparation requirements, arrival at Reflection Park, and timing of the graveside service with the family’s chosen funeral home. As we develop experience with different funeral homes, we will be in a position to make recommendations of funeral homes that we are comfortable working with.

  • Not in Maryland. Families may choose to handle all arrangements of a funeral themselves, which is called a home funeral (see the National Home Funeral Alliance for more information). Sometimes families wish to have a home funeral but involve a funeral director for specific details such as body transport and filing paperwork. This is called a blended funeral.

GREEN BURIAL

  • The hallmark components of a green burial are simplicity and environmental sustainability. Green burials involve interment without a vault or grave liner. The body is prepared naturally without embalming and is typically enclosed in only a burial shroud and/or casket made of readily biodegradable materials. Green burial returns the body directly to the earth, thus preserving the natural cycle of decomposition and renewal.

    In addition to being more consistent with the natural eco-cycle, green burial also offers:

    ● Protection of funeral workers’ health. Embalming is a common practice that involves materials like formaldehyde, which is hazardous to the people who handle it. By avoiding embalming, green burial prevents exposure of funeral workers to such toxins.

    ● Preservation of the natural environment. Green burials promote growth of natural vegetation, which sequesters carbon to reduce climate change. In addition, Reflection Park will have a public trail system and stream valley protection zone to support access to precious land resources.

    ● Conservation of natural resources. Green burial does not involve committing appreciable amounts of hardwood, steel, copper, bronze, or concrete into the earth. Only readily biodegradable materials are used in green burial.

    The Green Burial Council has more information about the science of green burial as well as a guide for families.

  • Yes. Here is a list of known green burial cemeteries in the US and Canada. These cemeteries are either completely green or hybrid, meaning that they are conventional cemeteries with green sections.

  • Absolutely. This is a common misconception. There is no law that requires these burial containers.

  • Reflection Park sits within the watershed of the Patuxent River and Rocky Gorge reservoir, which supplies drinking water through the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). Thus, concerns about contamination of the water supply are understandable. Reflection Park shares this concern, as one of its core missions is environmental stewardship.

    The issue of impact on the reservoir and neighboring wells was examined in two public hearings for zoning approval on July 30, 2021 and more thoroughly on April 12-14, 2022. After both hearings, Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (MCDEP) and WSSC each concluded that Reflection Park would not impact adversely on water quality. The more recent hearing involved extensive testimony that included a thorough hydrogeological analysis of the property. This analysis concluded that "contaminant release from burial sites at the proposed Reflection Park cemetery will not pose a health and safety risk to adjacent private properties, nearby streams or to the Rocky Gorge Reservoir”, and “any health and safety risks potentially associated with the proposed Reflection Park cemetery are no greater, and likely to be less, than the health and safety risks associated with contamination from nearby private septic systems.”

    MCDEP concurred in its response:

    “The information provided by the applicant used sound engineering and scientific principles to draw their conclusions that were site specific. Based on the soil testing, test pits, and perc test results, DEP does not anticipate any offsite impacts to surface water quality or groundwater quality (private drinking water wells) from the cemetery, and thus do not think any additional conditions be imposed on the conditional use. We also do not see the need for additional monitoring of surface water or ground water in the area in proximity to the cemetery.”

    WSSC’s response included these conclusions:

    “WSSC Water does not expect that the green burial ground proposed in CU 21-06 [the application number] will render the Rocky Gorge reservoir unsafe as a drinking water supply, now or in the future.”

    “WSSC Water does not expect that the green burial site will result in microbial contamination of the Duckett Reservoir.” [Duckett is another name for the Rocky Gorge Reservoir.]

    "WSSC Water does not recommend any additional conditions or monitoring requirements.”