Conservation Burial

Cemetery operations: CBI continues to operate Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery (PCCC), one of less than 20 such conservation burial grounds in the United States. Conservation Burial grounds provide the choice for a totally natural burial (no vault, no embalming and only biodegradable containers) combined with the legacy of forever protecting and managing the associated land by way of a conservation easement. In 2022 CBI/PCCC helped families perform 104 natural body burials, 48 burials of cremated remains and 20 burials of human companion(pet) remains. Community volunteers supporting the organization's mission contributed over 2500 hours of service. Land restoration: As a part of managing the 93 acres of PCCC, CBI actively pursues a land stewardship plan developed in conjunction with its land trust partner, Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT). This includes removing secondary hardwoods and replanting with an ecologically diverse set of species. The stewardship plan also includes the creation and management of a native wildflower and pollinator meadow feature in the cemetery. Advocacy: CBI staff regularly host free workshops on the subject of end-of-life planning (advance directives) and various body disposition choices. CBI staff also perform presentations and table displays in local churches, medical organizations, hospices, religious institutions and funeral homes to bring more awareness of the different choices available to people in the community.