Great Stewardship and Revenue - The EcoEternity Forest
by Mike Burcher, Director of Makemie Woods Camp and Conference Center (Barhamsville, VA)

Almost every camp or conference center has been approached by a family wishing to spread someone's ashes on the property. The life-changing experiences our guests and campers have in the context of camp and conference ministry are so powerful that many wish to have their earthly remains spend eternity with their earthly memories. Ghost Ranch Conference Center (Abiquiu, NM) has developed a formal columbarium, providing families a way to leave a memorial plaque and also collecting some revenue to maintain the facility. At Makemie Woods Camp and Conference Center, a small building was named in memory of summer staff member who died several years ago, and his ashes cast into the water.

In recent years, “alternative green burials” have been growing in popularity. The overwhelming cost of the traditional burial in a cemetery, along with the growing concern for the environment and land use, have led many to question this practice. Ecologically-minded people are considering cremation at a minimum, or burial in biodegradable caskets in natural places.   

One of these alternatives is the EcoEternity Forest. Cremated remains are buried in a biodegradable urn at the drip line of a selected tree. As the urn dissolves, the nutrients from the remains are absorbed into the tree, which becomes a living memorial. A small plaque is placed on the tree, away from foot traffic. There are no plastic flowers or teddy bears. The forest is otherwise left in a completely natural state, and used for whatever purposes the camp or conference center has always used it.

Jack Lowe, President and Co-Founder of EcoEternity Forest LLC, approached Makemie Woods with this concept in November 2007. If Makemie Woods would be interested in designating two acres as a memorial forest, EcoEternity would do all the marketing and publicity, handle all inquiries and process all contracts.  Because the trees are leased, not sold, the deed to the property remains with the camp. The leases are for 99 years, which protects the forest from clear cutting or development for at least a century. All revenues would be split evenly between Makemie Woods and EcoEternity. The potential revenue from the first two acres could be as much as $250,000. The EcoEternity concept is very popular in Europe. Now one in every three people who dies in Germany is interred in an EcoEternity forest.

The Makemie Woods committee was very resistant at first. What if the presbytery ever wanted to sell the camp? What about security? How much time would “tree tours” take away from the camp staff? How much would the camp need to invest? This is a new concept, what if it did not take off and the land was encumbered for only a few trees?

After three months of meetings and research, Rick Dawson (Director of Camp Highroad, a United Methodist camp and the first EcoEternity forest in the United States) spoke with the committee. There were many compelling financial and ecological reasons to consider for opening the memorial forest. Other than signage and the encumbrance of the land, the investment was less than $1000 to prepare the camp. Most compelling, however, was Rick's testimony of leasing a tree for his own family. His step-daughter died in a car accident, and now his wife visits their tree as a way of reflecting on her life. This was a ministry consistent with the vision and mission of Makemie Woods.

In April, Eastern Virginia Presbytery voted in favor of the concept, and on October 5th the EcoEternity forest at Makemie Woods was consecrated. The camp received outstanding press in the large metropolitan as well as the smaller local newspapers, and was mentioned on an ABC Nightly News feature about EcoEternity. Church members say to the camp staff, “Oh I saw that great article and I am so glad you are offering the memorial forest.” In this dreary economy, an affordable and meaningful option has great appeal.

One of the greatest pleasures has been a wonderful excuse to get away from the desk and out into the forest, listening to the stories of people for whom the beauty of God's creation is significant. So far Makemie Woods has committed to eight leases, and performed one interment. Staff time spent in “tree tours” has been less than 15 hours. At Camp Highroad, the summer program grew 18% after they opened their EcoEternity forest the previous November. More information about EcoEternity and the Makemie Woods forest can be found at www.ecoeternity.com. EcoEternity will be opening three new forests with Methodist camps in 2009, and is in conversation with some Presbyterian camps and conference centers.

Can a camp host a memorial forest without partnering with an outside organization? Certainly, especially if the forest is specifically for people who have a connection with the camp, such as the Ghost Ranch model. The camp would assume all responsibility for the legal transactions, marketing and record-keeping. At Makemie Woods, the EcoEternity partnership is proving to be a viable way to create an alternate revenue source and valuable ministry while conserving precious forest and using minimal staff resources. Sites who are interested in exploring the idea of having an EcoEternity forest should contact Jack Lowe at jack.lowe@ecoeternity.com or 888.435.1869.