The vast majority of death care providers are for-profit corporations; Herland Forest is different, and I’m delighted to relate that this summer, the IRS recognized that difference by granting Herland Forest recognition as a 501(c)(13) tax-exempt cemetery. You’ve probably heard … Continue reading →
A key reason why people choose to rest in the Herland Forest is that they want their remains to nurture the growth of a tree—often a specific type of tree. Here in the Pacific Northwest, the hazelnut is a very … Continue reading →
When something dies in the forest, fungi break it down and allow the essential elements such as magnesium and potassium to be re-used to create more life. The forest’s mycological network then transports those critical resources from where they rest … Continue reading →
Honey knew the human wasn’t well, but she did all she could to comfort her. Honey would climb onto the bed with Lois and cuddle, and was a wonderful companion during dark days. Lois was loved and cared for by … Continue reading →
A key goal of our natural organic reduction process is to create compost that is optimized for delivering essential nutrients to plants and trees. That involves operating the process in a way which breaks down the remains, not just to … Continue reading →
A key step in the natural organic reduction process comes at the very end. A gallon sample of the compost is sent off to a certified lab for analysis to determine its heavy-metal content and whether e.coli bacteria are present. … Continue reading →
One of the delights of the Portland area is Willamette Week, an alternative newspaper that covers the city’s cultural resources. Currently, they’re doing a series on the best place in the Portland area to do all sort of things. We … Continue reading →
In July of 2020, Herland Forest became the first facility in the country to be licensed to perform the natural organic reduction of human remains. In December, we began the first reduction, and incorporated what we learned into the design … Continue reading →
The term investment refers to the process of placing someone’s remains into a natural organic reduction vessel encased in the organic matter and organisms needed to transform the remains into soil. It’s similar to how the term investment is used … Continue reading →
