Penn Forest Becomes PA’s First Green Burial Council-Approved Natural Burial Ground

Penn Forest Natural Burial Park in Penn Hills has met the standards set forth by the Green Burial Council to become certified as the first Natural Burial Ground in Pennsylvania.

In addition to requiring an independent biological assessment and adherence to protocols for operating a green cemetery, the council standards also required that Penn Forest put in place a deed restriction so that future operators of the burial ground would be required to uphold all ecological and aesthetic promises.

“We’re pleased to finally have a natural burial ground in Pennsylvania and even more pleased to know it was started by people who possess with the right ethic,” Joe Sehee, Green Burial Council executive director, said in a press release.

Founded in 2005, the council has become the standard bearer in the field of eco-friendly deathcare with more than 300 “approved providers” in 42 states and six provinces of Canada.

“Receiving this certification is an important milestone for our cemetery,” Pete McQuillin, cemetery manager and co-founder, said in a press release. “Certification by the Green Burial Council gives us national and international recognition as a provider of natural burial. We are pleased to be a part of such a group of diverse companies all offering natural burial services.”

Penn Forest Natural Burial Park opened in 2011 and borders Oakmont and Verona. For more information, click on this Plum-Oakmont Patch article.