Reclaiming the Journey of Death and Dying: Green Burials in Minnesota
Course Description: On May 24, 2024, Governor Walz signed a bill legalizing natural organic reduction (human composting) in Minnesota, making us the 11th state to legalize this new option for people to return to the earth naturally, with fewer harmful environmental impacts. Starting July 1, 2025, licensed providers will be able to offer this service in Minnesota.
With green burial options come a new way of thinking about death and the dying process. This unique class provides an introduction to green burial options in Minnesota, given by a leader at the forefront of the state’s green burial movement. This is paired with an exploration of what it means to reclaim the dying process, death rituals, and new ways of understanding the historical, social, cultural, political, spiritual, and ethical contexts that influence our views of death and dying.
In addition to learning about human composting, water cremation, and green burial, the class will explore emerging/returning practices of keeping people at home during the dying process, home vigils, and family/friends directed funerals/rituals. We will end with a variety of local and national resources.
This class will include a morning session, hour+ lunch break with time for a walk outdoors or relaxing stroll through the farm, and an afternoon session.
What to Bring: Please bring your own lunch, notebook and pen. Optional: Feel free to bring an object to place on the centerpiece that represents an experience you’ve had with death.
All are welcome – WEI classes are open to everyone.
Instructor Bios:
Carol Geisler, Ph.D. is a professor who teaches in the Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies at St. Catherine University. She has been interested in the journeys of death and dying for over 30 years in her roles as a nurse, psychologist, and spiritual seeker. She is passionate about consciously reclaiming the dying process and educating people about available choices.
Taelor Johnson is the Communications Director for Interra Green Burial by Mueller Memorial and helped Interra become one of only two funeral providers in Minnesota to be certified by the national Green Burial Council. She recently testified before the MN House and Senate as part of the successful effort to legalize NOR in Minnesota, and is working to make sustainability-focused disposition options more accessible.
Make a day of it! On the way to WEI, visit charming Lindstrom, MN, for Northwoods Roasterie coffee and a pastry from the Lindstrom Bakery. After class, visit Wild River State Park (only 10 minutes from WEI). Franconia Sculpture Park is also nearby and open ’til 8pm daily.
If you would be interested in staying overnight at WEI before and/or after this class, please reserve accommodations through our FarmStay.