Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery to Offer Human Composting as Eco-Friendly Alternative
Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn is preparing to introduce human composting, positioning itself as the first cemetery on the East Coast to provide what is formally known as natural organic reduction, the Gothamist reported.
The nearly 200-year-old, 500-acre burial ground plans to begin offering the service in 2027 through a partnership with the German funeral company Meine Erde.
The method — sometimes referred to as terramation — converts human remains into soil through a controlled, fossil-fuel-free decomposition process. An unembalmed body is placed inside a specialized vessel designed to regulate airflow and moisture while gently rotating to accelerate natural breakdown. Plant-based materials such as straw, wood chips, alfalfa and clover are added to support microbial activity. Over approximately 40 days, the contents transform into roughly 200 gallons of nutrient-rich soil.
Cemetery leadership says interest in environmentally responsible end-of-life options has grown in recent years, reflecting broader public concern about sustainability. Under New York law, which authorized human composting in 2023, the resulting soil must remain within cemetery grounds. At Green-Wood, the composted material will be incorporated into landscaping and tree-planting efforts.
Pricing has not yet been announced. Comparable services in states such as California and Washington typically range between $5,000 and $7,000. By contrast, a traditional gravesite at Green-Wood costs about $21,000, while a single mausoleum space can reach $50,000. Those interested in the new option may submit inquiries through the cemetery’s website.
Family Disputes Cemetery’s Order to Remove Headstone After Five Years
A Colorado Springs family is pushing back after being told that their brother’s headstone at Evergreen Cemetery must be removed because it violates cemetery regulations, KOAA News 5 reported.
The Geschke sisters say they were surprised to learn that portions of their brother’s monument had been covered with black tape. According to cemetery management, the memorial contains imagery considered inappropriate under cemetery rules.
The headstone, which has been in place for approximately five years, includes carved images of raised middle fingers. The family maintains that the design reflects their bond and personal tribute to their brother. They argue that the monument was created with deep meaning and represents their family identity rather than an attempt to offend.
Evergreen Cemetery’s manager stated that the cemetery has policies prohibiting monuments that contain language or imagery deemed profane or offensive to the public. Once the imagery came to management’s attention, action was required to enforce those rules, regardless of how long the headstone had been in place. The cemetery declined to specify how many complaints, if any, were received, emphasizing that the existence of a violation — not the number of objections — prompted the decision.
The sisters contend that the images should be viewed within the context of their family’s tribute and do not believe the monument violates community standards. They also expressed concern about disturbing their brother’s burial site after several years, describing the situation as upsetting and unnecessary.
Congressional Cemetery Introduces Death Doula to Promote End-of-Life Dialogue
Historic Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C., has introduced what may be the first dedicated death doula at a cemetery in the United States, aiming to encourage more open and constructive discussions about mortality, according to a Fox 12 report.
The 35-acre landmark cemetery, which serves as the final resting place for more than 70,000 individuals, recently brought on Laura Lyster-Mensh to help visitors engage in thoughtful conversations about death and end-of-life planning. Death doulas typically assist individuals and families with emotional support, caregiving guidance and preparation for final arrangements.
At the cemetery, Lyster-Mensh focuses on fostering what she describes as a healthier cultural attitude toward death. She walks the grounds with visitors, creating space for candid, sometimes uncomfortable conversations about mortality. Her approach is designed to help people see discussions about death not as morbid, but as a way to better appreciate life and remain connected to loved ones who have passed.
Her work also includes hosting community gatherings known as death cafés, where participants share tea and conversation prompts designed to spark dialogue about end-of-life preferences and personal reflections. Tools such as conversation cards are used to make it easier for families and friends to discuss topics that are often avoided until a crisis occurs.
EEOC Files Lawsuit Alleging Memphis Cemetery Operator Denied Black Workers Restroom Access
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has filed a lawsuit against a Memphis cemetery operator, alleging that Black employees were denied access to workplace restrooms and that a supervisor was terminated after refusing to discourage discrimination complaints, according to an article in Human Resources Director.
In a complaint filed February 6, 2026, the EEOC accuses StoneMor GP, LLC, which operates as Everstory Partners, of race discrimination and retaliation at its Whitten Road funeral home and cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee. The allegations remain unproven in court.
The case centers on three Black groundskeeping employees: Demarcus Benson, a supervisor who had advanced from temporary worker to full-time supervisory roles over several years, and crew members Louis Walker and Demetric Brownlee. Their responsibilities included cemetery maintenance, grave preparation, monument placement and related duties.
According to the EEOC, in early May 2022 Benson arrived at work to find that the door his team typically used had been fitted with a new lock. He was allegedly informed by area maintenance director Heath Fairfax and funeral home manager Brad Shooks that a new protocol prohibited his crew from entering the building or using its restrooms and break areas. The complaint states that no alternative on-site restroom was made available, forcing the employees to take breaks in their vehicles and use a nearby gas station’s facilities for approximately 10 days. Although Benson, as a supervisor, was not personally barred, he reportedly declined to use the building amenities in support of his team.
The EEOC further alleges that a separate restroom and breakroom secured by a code were reserved for executive leadership and certain White employees. Black professional staff, including a former cemetery administrator, were allegedly denied access to that space without any written policy explaining the restriction.
Following internal complaints, management designated a single-occupancy restroom on the first floor that could be reached only through a rear entrance. After one employee raised concerns with corporate headquarters in Pennsylvania, another interior space was assigned. However, according to the lawsuit, Black employees still were not granted access to the preferred facility.
The complaint also outlines an alleged retaliation claim. After one of the crew members sought information about filing a discrimination charge, Benson was allegedly instructed by management to prevent further contact with the EEOC and warned that his job could be at risk if the complaint proceeded. The employee ultimately contacted the agency. Soon afterward, Benson was suspended in connection with a burial error that had previously gone uninvestigated. The EEOC contends that the termination reversed the company’s usual disciplinary practices, as supervisors had not typically been penalized for errors occurring under another manager’s oversight.
The agency is seeking injunctive relief, policy changes, back pay, compensatory and punitive damages, and a jury trial.
The case underscores the legal and operational risks employers face when workplace access policies and responses to discrimination complaints are alleged to violate federal law.
Read the full article.
Historians Spotlight Overlooked Harlem Renaissance Figures at Woodlawn Cemetery
In the Bronx, beneath winter snow and rows of towering monuments, Woodlawn Cemetery is revealing stories long absent from mainstream accounts of the Harlem Renaissance, Eyewitness News ABC 7 reported.
The Harlem Renaissance, which flourished in the early 20th century, marked a transformative period of Black artistic, intellectual and cultural achievement. While celebrated figures in music and literature often dominate public memory, many of the professionals and civic leaders who sustained Harlem’s institutions have faded from view.
A new research effort aims to change that.
The Woodlawn Conservancy has launched an initiative highlighting two dozen Black individuals interred at the cemetery whose lives intersected with the Harlem Renaissance and the broader growth of Harlem as a self-sustaining community. Although Woodlawn has long been known for the graves of prominent entertainers, veterans and public figures, this project shifts attention toward doctors, journalists, entrepreneurs and organizers whose contributions were foundational but less visible.
The effort was made possible through a $50,000 grant awarded in 2024 by the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. With that funding, the conservancy collaborated with local historians to identify and document 25 notable individuals connected to Harlem’s cultural and civic development during the early 1900s.
The initial presentation of the research is scheduled for February 15, but organizers acknowledge that the current project represents only a starting point. Many more untold stories remain beneath the cemetery’s landscape, suggesting future phases of exploration may follow.
Through this initiative, Woodlawn Cemetery is repositioning itself not only as a resting place for celebrated artists, but also as a repository of Harlem’s broader social and professional history.
Spring Grove Cemetery Retains Level II Arboretum Status
Spring Grove Cemetery in Medina has once again secured Level II accreditation from the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program, reaffirming its standing as both a historic burial ground and a recognized public arboretum. The designation is administered through ArbNet in coordination with The Morton Arboretum and represents formal acknowledgment of professional standards in arboretum management, Your Ohio News reported.
ArbNet’s accreditation system is the only worldwide framework that evaluates and recognizes arboreta at multiple tiers based on their organizational development, governance, plant collections and public engagement. With this renewal, Spring Grove Cemetery continues to be included in the Morton Register of Arboreta, an international directory of institutions dedicated to cultivating and studying woody plants. It remains the only accredited arboretum in Medina County.
Founded in 1883 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 34-acre cemetery operates as an urban forest and community green space. Its tree inventory includes 638 specimens spanning 108 species, reflecting both botanical diversity and long-term stewardship. The site’s arboretum operations are supported through a collaboration between the nonprofit Friends of the Cemetery and the City of Medina. Together, the partners focus on preservation, planting initiatives and public education tied to the site’s ecological and historical significance.
Leadership from the Friends of the Cemetery noted that the renewed accreditation underscores more than two decades of cooperative work between the nonprofit and the city to sustain and expand the cemetery’s tree canopy. The recognition also reinforces the organization’s ongoing efforts to enhance care standards and long-range planning for the arboretum.
Congressman Introduces Bipartisan National Cemetery Transparency Act
On Jan. 27, Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07), representing the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos, introduced the bipartisan National Cemetery Administration Annual Report Act of 2026, alongside Congressman Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), to improve transparency and provide Congress and the public with clearer insight into the operations and future needs of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration.
The bill would require the VA to submit an annual public report to Congress detailing the operations, performance and resource needs of the National Cemetery Administration. By making this information easily accessible to both Congress and the public, the legislation ensures that veterans and their families receive the dignity, honor, and care they have earned.
“Veterans and their families deserve transparency when it comes to the care and long-term planning of national cemeteries,” Mackenzie said. “This legislation strengthens congressional oversight of the National Cemetery Administration and ensures we have the information needed to better serve those who have worn the uniform.”
“The National Cemetery Administration Annual Report Act affirms our commitment to honoring veterans with dignity and respect,” McGarvey said. “By shedding light on how we care for veterans in their final resting place, we can ensure their service is never forgotten. I’m grateful to Rep. Mackenzie for leading this bipartisan effort for our nation’s veterans and their families.”
The legislation is supported by veterans service organizations:
- Disabled American Veterans.
- Paralyzed Veterans of America.
Specifically, the legislation would require the VA to publish an annual report detailing:
- The number of interments performed by NCA, broken down by cemetery, interment type, and eligibility category.
- Burial options available at each national cemetery.
- Customer satisfaction metrics.
- A nationwide map of all national and VA-grant-funded veterans’ cemeteries.
- The number of veterans interred in VA-grant-funded cemeteries.
- The number of Presidential Memorial Certificates, headstones, markers, and medallions provided.
- Information on completed and planned cemetery construction projects.
- Data on grants awarded for veterans’ cemeteries, including recipients, amounts, and purposes.
- The number of interments of unclaimed veteran remains.
- Any additional metrics the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines appropriate.
Importantly, the bill requires the report to be made publicly available online, ensuring families, researchers, veterans’ advocates and policymakers can easily access the information.
Washington, D.C. Allocates $250,000 to Preserve Historic Black Cemeteries
Washington, D.C., is investing in the preservation of three historic African American cemeteries, aiming to protect both the sacred spaces and the cultural history they represent, ABC 7 News On Your Side reported.
The city has approved two grants totaling $250,000 for maintenance and preservation efforts at cemeteries in Georgetown and Benning Ridge. The Woodlawn Cemetery Perpetual Care Association and the Black Georgetown Foundation will each receive $125,000 to support projects such as research, grounds upkeep, and community education in the upcoming fiscal year.
This funding is part of a broader initiative to recognize and protect sites connected to Black history in the capital, particularly locations that have historically received limited resources.
The grants will fund preservation work at Woodlawn Cemetery in Southeast D.C., which dates back to the late 19th century, and at the Mount Zion and Female Union Band Society cemeteries in Georgetown, established in 1808.
Preservation efforts extend beyond visible improvements to the landscape, with careful attention to what lies underground. Both locations have benefited from previous archaeological work, including ground-penetrating radar studies, which provide critical information for protecting burial sites. Planned improvements include drainage and erosion control, repairing stairs, and resolving long-standing maintenance issues without disturbing graves.
Family Sues After Alleged Burial Mix-Up at New Jersey
The owners of multiple family burial plots in Bergen County, New Jersey have filed a lawsuit after discovering that an unrelated individual was interred in one of their reserved graves, Advance Local Media reported.
According to court filings, Anne Divine and Mitchell Spellman collectively own 10 burial plots at Cedar Park and Beth El Cemeteries. On June 4, they learned that a man with no familial connection to them had been buried in one of the graves designated for their family.
After discovering the issue, Divine contacted the Jewish Community Center of Paramus, the organization responsible for overseeing family burial plots at the cemetery. She requested that the remains be relocated. The lawsuit alleges that the community center declined to remove the body and instead proposed offering the family alternative plots in a different section of the cemetery.
The complaint, filed Nov. 10 in Superior Court in Bergen County, states that representatives of the cemetery and the community center did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the allegations.
The lawsuit contends that the situation has caused the family significant emotional suffering.
Divine and Spellman are suing the Jewish Community Center of Paramus, along with Cedar Park and Beth El Cemeteries, alleging negligence. The plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages and have requested a trial by jury.
Former Kalamazoo Cemetery Worker Sentenced, Offers Assistance in Locating Missing Graves
A former employee of Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan has been sentenced to jail following an embezzlement scheme that left several burial plots unmarked and records incomplete, M Live reported.
Shaun Albertson was found to have misappropriated payments made by families to the cemetery, diverting funds for personal use. The misconduct created confusion for relatives trying to locate their loved ones’ graves, and the full extent of the scheme remains uncertain.
Before serving his sentence, Albertson indicated a willingness to help resolve discrepancies in the cemetery records and assist families in finding affected gravesites.
Circuit Court proceedings resulted in a 90-day jail term for Albertson, along with restitution totaling $16,875 and additional court costs. He also received three years of probation. Previously, Albertson had entered a no-contest plea to embezzlement involving amounts between $1,000 and $20,000, accepting punishment without formally admitting guilt.
Investigations revealed that some payments made to Albertson were not properly documented in cemetery records, raising concerns that the issue may have affected more families than currently identified. Albertson had worked at Mt. Olivet for approximately 20 years.
Several families reported complications due to the missing or mismanaged records. In one case, a woman discovered that the plot she had reserved next to her parents had been occupied by another family. Cemetery staff attempted to provide alternatives, but the original arrangements were disrupted, leaving families concerned about the security of their burial plots.
Authorities and the diocese continue efforts to verify records and assist affected families.
Mount Moriah Cemetery Launches Fundraiser After Grave Robberies
In response to a series of grave robberies at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, a nonprofit organization responsible for maintaining the historic grounds has initiated a fundraising campaign to cover repairs and enhance security measures, Advance Local Media reported.
The Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery announced the campaign following the arrest of a suspect in connection with dozens of thefts and acts of vandalism across the cemetery. Mount Moriah, established in 1855 and the largest cemetery in Pennsylvania, spans roughly 200 acres across Southwest Philadelphia and Yeadon Borough. The Friends group formed after the cemetery was abandoned by its previous owner in 2011.
Authorities arrested 34-year-old Jonathan Gerlach of Ephrata, charging him with over 550 counts related to vandalism and theft from at least 26 mausoleums and underground vaults. The arrest occurred on January 6 when detectives observed Gerlach leaving the cemetery with a burlap sack and a crowbar. The sack contained human remains, including mummified bodies, skulls, and loose bones, some of which were traced to vaults more than a century old. Additional remains were later discovered in Gerlach’s home.
In the wake of these incidents, the Friends of Mount Moriah have accelerated security improvements, including the installation of a new camera system, repairs to perimeter fencing, and random patrols of the grounds. To date, the organization has spent approximately $20,000 on urgent security upgrades, nearly a quarter of its $90,000 annual operating budget.
You can support the campaign here.
The nonprofit’s fundraising goal is $100,000, which would allow for comprehensive security and maintenance projects.
