Newfields trustees to study hybrid green burials at Route 108 cemetery

Lynn Sweet, representing the Library and Cemetery Trustees, presented a proposal to investigate hybrid green-burial spaces within the town's existing Route 108 cemetery. The model under review would dedicate a portion of the cemetery for green burials limited to Newfields residents and would generally prohibit embalming, permanent outer burial containers and conventional modern caskets in favor of biodegradable containers; families would still work with a funeral service.

Sweet said the Trustees have reviewed applicable state statutes and consulted with the Kensington Cemetery Trustees and will continue researching allowable containers, wooden urns, cremated-remains procedures, maintenance requirements and operating restrictions. No firm timeline was set, but Sweet indicated the research would take more than a month before the Trustees return to the Select Board with additional information.