The Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago has become the first in Illinois to make available cemetery plots for “natural burials.” While alternative methods of burial that have become popular in recent years have been controversial, the archdiocese has assured the faithful that the cemetery’s offerings are completely in line with Church teaching.
According to the archdiocese, the plots reserved for natural burials will be located in St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery in Palatine, where a small one-acre area will be dedicated as “Meadows of St. Kateri” in September. The archdiocese website describes the site as including a meadow with long grass and a winding path to walk and reflect and “connect with nature.”
The Archdiocese of Chicago goes on to explain that natural burial is not a new form of burial, but a return to the traditional ways that people buried the dead for the majority of the last 2,000 years. It wrote of the process:
“Natural burials forgo harsh embalming fluids, traditional caskets, and outer burial containers in favor of biodegradable materials, organic fibers, and eco-friendly embalming techniques. This minimizes environmental impact while honoring the natural cycle of life and death.”
The announcement came with a brief video tour of the Meadows of St. Kateri. The tour begins at a small pavilion area at the entrance and follows the winding path made from gravel and white marble blocks. The environment is very “natural” with the plants left to grow unpruned and flowers popping up unplanned.
While it is not the only cemetery in Illinois that offers natural burials, it is the first one offered by the Catholic Church. The Archdiocese of Chicago has assured that the offerings at the Meadows of St. Kateri “aligns with Catholic teachings on the sanctity of life and respect for the environment and honors the Catholic faith in the Resurrection — the cycle of death and rebirth.”
Ted Ratajczyk, executive director of Catholic Cemeteries in the archdiocese, said in a statement:
“We are honored to offer a new natural burial option that not only respects the environment but also aligns with Catholic teachings for treating the human body with dignity. This initiative reflects our commitment to providing choices that honor the dignity of life, the needs of our community and the values of our faith.” Ratajczyk said in a statement.
Learn more about Catholic natural burials at the Archdiocese of Chicago.
