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Council updates Forest Lawn Cemetery policy; green burials not permitted at this time
Summary
After staff review and consultation with funeral-industry representatives, the council approved revisions to cemetery policy that define natural/green burial terms and prohibit green burials at Forest Lawn Cemetery for now; council members asked for more study of the option in the future.
The Kirksville City Council approved updates to City Council Policy No. 11 concerning Forest Lawn Cemetery rules, including a formal definition of “green” or natural burial and a temporary prohibition on green burials at Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Rodney Sadler, deputy city manager, said the city clerk had reached out to the executive director of the Missouri Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association, which raised concerns about remains and possible long-term maintenance issues where burial depths and casket types vary. Sadler said two certified green-burial cemeteries currently exist in Missouri and that the city is not prepared to assume the maintenance responsibilities associated with green burials.
One council member said she would like the city to continue exploring green or natural burial as an ecologically responsible option, but supported the policy change now because staff have not completed the necessary study or standards.
Nut graf: The council’s action establishes definitional and procedural clarity for green burials while declining to offer them at Forest Lawn Cemetery until further study and standardization are complete. Staff cited concerns about sinking/maintenance and the limited number of certified green cemeteries in the state.
The motion to adopt the policy revisions passed with one recorded nay; council members asked staff to research standards and regulations that could make green burials feasible in the future.
Ending: The policy change takes effect immediately; staff will return with any future proposals if they identify a standardized, low-risk approach.
