In a press release we received last week we learned that The Natural Funeral, Inc.  of Colorado is bringing their Natural Organic Reduction (NOR) program to the Northeast and Southeast parts of the United States.

The Natural Funeral, Inc. is what we believe to be one of at least four NOR companies operating in the United States today.  In addition to The Natural Funeral, the others we know about are Recompose, Return Home, and Earth Funeral.  While The Natural Funeral has operated in Colorado, the other three have facilities in the state of Washington where NOR was first legalized.  In addition, Earth Funeral has recently opened an East Coast location in Baltimore, Maryland.

What is interesting about The Natural Funeral’s concept, what they term “Terramation” is that their recent press release reveals that they have developed “the proprietary TerraCare System and TerraCare Partner Program to equip trusted local providers with a complete turnkey solution for performing Terramation within their own communities.”

My knowledge, is that to this point, the other operators of NOR facilities have larger, centrally-based operations, that are sometimes a great distance from the families that want to use NOR or Terramation for their loved one’s method of human disposition.

Vermont’s Sacred Soil facility
Photo courtesy of The Natural Funeral

The Natural Funeral, Inc.’s announcement of last week makes note that the company has “announced new partnerships with Georgia-based A.S. Turner & Sons and Vermont-based Sacred Soil, enabling both organizations to offer Natural Organic Reduction services powered by the company’s advanced TerraCare technology.”  . . . . And, the will be able to do so in their own local markets.

The press release also makes this statement, “Sacred Soil recently became the first operational Terramation facility in New England after receiving authorization from the State of Vermont. A.S. Turner & Sons has completed installation of its TerraCare System and is expected to receive final state certification imminently, becoming the first Terramation provider in the Southeastern United States.”

To learn more about the Natural Funeral, Inc. and their Terracare System you can access the website here.

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

Funeral Director Daily:  I don’t pretend to know everything about The Natural Funeral’s Terracare program, but I’ve followed the NOR growth and interest curve since prior to the legalization of the process.  I’ve seen a slow, but growing adaptation and acceptance of the process and do believe that there will be a continuing growth curve to the method of human disposition.  How great that growth curve will be is still speculative.

However, this breakthrough with a business system that allows the process to be “localized” can only be a positive direction for the movement.  And, it probably bodes well for The Natural Funeral, Inc. and their TerraCare Partner Program.

Like so many other businesses that have been built over the years. . . .”First to Market” in the local market could make a major difference.

More news from the world of Death Care:

• Stories beneath the Stones:  Vernon Cemetery celebration connects families, preserves memories and brings Elk River’s history to life.  Star News (MN)
• Bangor Historical Society explores Revolutionary-era figures at historic cemetery.  Video news story and print article.  WABI Channel 5 – Bangor (ME)
• Experts dig into grave distrubance at Connecticut cemetery.  “Concerned that some foul play was at issue.”  Hartford Courant (CT)
• USAA Life Insurance Company expands portfolio to help families prepare for end-of-life experiences.  Advisor Magazine

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