Sòlas Natural Burial Preserve is a 20-acre Natural Burial Cemetery located between Middleton and Waunakee. Recently opening on October 10th, Sòlas is only the second certified Natural Burial Cemetery in the State of Wisconsin. Eager to learn more about their business, we sat down with founder Madeline Wall to dive in.
What is a Natural Burial Preserve?
“The best way to describe it is to contrast it with the conventional burial - someone passes away, their body goes to a funeral home or is cremated, they’re placed in a casket, and buried in a concrete box in a cemetery, under manicured grass with a headstone. A natural burial is returning to what people have done since the beginning. There’s no embalming, the body is not put in a metal or treated wood casket but instead a shroud. The headstone is replaced with a planted tree or a digital headstone that can be viewed online. It removes unnecessary aspects of conventional burial and provides an environmentally friendly, pollution-free alternative.”
What does the process look like for families who choose natural burial?
“Many people still want to work with funeral homes, which we’re happy to accommodate. A plot can be selected and purchased in person or on our website for immediate use or reserved as a “pre-need” plot for the future. Burial can also be scheduled online.”
Why did you decide to start a natural burial preserve in Middleton?
“Most of the cemeteries in Dane County are close to or already full and people don’t often understand their options. Conventional burial is very expensive, an invasive process, and creates a lot of waste. Natural burial is about ¼ of the cost and doesn’t leave lasting pollution.”
How does sustainability play a role (outside of the burial process)?
“We try to use sustainable practices with the site itself. We don’t use pesticides and only use electric equipment when caring for the land. Our goal is to foster sustainability throughout the whole business.”
Are there any common misconceptions about natural burial?
“Most people think it’ll be more expensive. Standard funeral home costs can run as high as $15,000 - $20,000. Our plots start at $4000, and there’s customization to the process.
People also wonder if there is religious affiliation with the cemetery - there’s not. We’re welcome to anyone, regardless of your background.”
It removes unnecessary aspects of conventional burial and provides an environmentally friendly, pollution-free alternative.