'Sanctuary forests' offering a burial alternative in France

euronews (in English)

An ecological concept adopted from neighbouring Germany, cinerary or sanctuary forests are growing in popularity in eastern France as an alternative to cemeteries. They give people an option to be buried in a peaceful setting among nature.

Transcript

00:00 An eternal resting place, not in a cemetery, but in a forest, at the foot of a tree.

00:08 Sanctuary forests have been around for a while in Germany, and now they're gaining popularity

00:13 in France, particularly in border areas like here in Alsace.

00:18 In Moutaz Holtz, the local government set aside part of the forest to bury the ashes

00:22 of people wanting an alternative to a cemetery.

00:25 Today's approach has given us comfort in our idea.

00:31 I'm going to take a task with the town hall for a reservation, I hope as late as possible,

00:37 but we'll get there, we know that.

00:39 It brings us a little closer to our way of life.

00:47 We prefer the environment, nature, to the crowds.

00:55 Moutaz Holtz is using an existing forest.

00:59 In Norcine, in eastern France, trees are being planted in a cemetery, where people will soon

01:05 have the option of being laid to rest among nature, free of charge.

01:09 [WHOOSH]

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