Return to Nature.
Bringing Natural Burial to the Seacoast.
Welcome to
Lotus & Lavender Natural Burial.
We’re a 501(c)(13), cemetery-specific nonprofit, working to bring natural burial options to the Seacoast. While we don’t offer burial yet, our mission is underway: educating communities, forming partnerships, and laying the groundwork for future natural burial cemeteries. Our approach is simple and respectful—honoring all end-of-life choices while expanding access to environmentally conscious options that return the body gently to the land.
What is Natural Burial?
For most of human history, bodies were placed in the ground to decompose naturally - without vaults, chemicals, or anything that impedes nature’s process. Today, natural burial, also called green burial, restores that tradition, with an easily biodegradable container like a simple pine coffin or cotton shroud, a peaceful resting place in nature, and a process that nourishes the environment rather than harming it.
Photos courtesy of Bluestem Conservation Cemetery, NC and Ramsey Creek Preserve, SC.
Our vision is mostly wildflower meadows, with some woodland burials. We will partner with local artisans for simple pine coffins, burial shrouds, and wicker caskets and incorporate live and dried flowers whenever possible. The graves will be marked with GPS plus grave markers flush with the ground and/or native plantings, as desired. And this natural, special place will forever be accessible to visit for remembrance and a reminder of the interconnectedness of life.
Phase 1: Land Acquisition - finding the right piece of land for the cemetery. This can be through a partnership, land donation or land purchase.
Phase 2: Running an active burial ground. This phase will start with the work to make the land operational, opening the cemetery, and forever refining our burial practices and expanding our community engagement.
Our Vision
Want to get involved in Phase 1?
Here are ways you can help bring natural burial to the Seacoast!
Make A Donation
If you want to see this become a reality, help make it happen! All donations go directly to our Land Acquisition Fund and once that’s fulfilled, towards making the land operational.
Do you have land? Or know someone who does? Maybe you know a realtor or friend who would be interested in supporting our land search. Attend one of our talks too - bring a friend!
Spread the Word
Volunteer
There are many ways to volunteer - including lending your talents, collaborating, and offering up speaking venues and other educational opportunities.
Join the Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on our progress and learn about news, events, education, ongoing resources and volunteer opportunities as they develop.
NEWS
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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CURRENT NEEDS
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WISH LIST
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NEWS - ANNOUNCEMENTS - CURRENT NEEDS - WISH LIST -
We are looking for land!
What we need to get started is:
At least 3 acres in a rural or semi-rural setting
Mostly cleared land (preferable)
Within 30 minutes of Portsmouth (preferable)
No wetlands within 100ft
A gift, sale or long-term lease of land to Lotus and Lavender has many advantages. We would love to discuss possibilities with you. Discussions will remain confidential.
