Laura Lane. "Couple's Land to Become a Green Burial Cemetery," Bloomington
(Monroe County, Indiana) Herald-Times, November 9, 2012, p. A1+. NOTE: The
item below was abstracted by Randi Richardson from a lengthier item that is
copyright protected.
Betty Blaker lives on 38 acres in Spencer, Owen County, Indiana. Her
88-year-old husband, Milo, died in 2010. In the time prior to his death,
Milo expressed his desire to be buried on his property, without being
embalmed, in a plain wooden casket with no vault. When the time came, Betty
tried to follow his wishes without success. The law interfered, and Milo
was buried temporarily in the Rose Cemetery. Eventually, Betty jumped
through a number of hoops and was able to obtain permission to have Milo
disinterred and reburied at home.
This week Betty proposed deeding the entire 38 acres to the county to be
used solely as a green cemetery, the only one of its kind in the area.
According to the county's attorney, it is likely that the county will accept
the gift of land.