Archdiocese of Chicago announces Illinois' first natural burial site

PALATINE, Ill. - One suburban cemetery is going green when it comes to going 'six feet under.'

The Archdiocese of Chicago is introducing natural burials and has unveiled a natural burial site at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Cemetery in Palatine.

While natural burials are not a new concept, the Archdiocese of Chicago is now the first Catholic diocese in Illinois to provide this option for interment.

"Many families live their life in a very eco-friendly way, and they would like to be remembered after death in a very eco-friendly way," said Ted Ratajczyk, executive director, Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

In the Meadows of St. Kateri, some families are returning to burial traditions of the past.

"The requests have increased year after year," said Ratajczyk.

Named after St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the patron saint of the environment and ecology, the site features about 650 plots for natural burials – both full-body burials and the burial of cremated remains. Some plots have already been reserved.

"We've laid out currently about an acre and a half that we're going to open slowly, so phase one is opening about a third of that and making it available to the families. And then, we will continue to move on as we need more space," said Ratajczyk.

Ratajczyk says he consulted with a representative from the Green Burial Council during their many months of planning.

Individuals buried naturally at the cemetery will still need to be placed into a casket.

"The casket will either be bamboo, wicker, natural pine – something that is biodegradable that doesn’t contain any metal," said Ratajczyk.

Natural burials at the cemetery will also forgo traditional embalming fluids.

"People would be surprised, in the state of Illinois, we do not require embalming," said Nhemya Ward, associate dean, Health Science & Career Programs, Malcolm X College.

Ward shares that natural burials have long been traditions among other religions, too, including the Jewish and Islamic faiths.

"You’ll notice if you’ve witnessed any burials, that there is a concrete liner or a vault that goes in the ground before the casket goes in. Basically, they are saying, we’re allowing the body to – as naturally and safely – be able to return to the elements," said Ward.

Just as natural burials have piqued the interest of more families, she says Malcolm X College’s Mortuary Science Program has seen more students intrigued by it too.

"Many do go into traditional burial practices, but we have seen a rise in students going into more natural burial practices," said Ward.

In keeping with a natural environment, rocks will replace headstones in the Meadows of St. Kateri.

"Cemeteries are really about your legacy and so if you can have your legacy live on the way you lived your life, it’s great to pass on your stories and traditions to the younger generations," said Ratajczyk.

The Meadows of St. Kateri will be blessed during an outdoor Mass at noon on Sunday, Sept. 8.

The public is invited to attend and tour the burial site following the dedication.