"What's Update: 2023 Year End Update from Friends of Green Burial PA"
Published on November 27, 2023 by Carin Bonifacino
2023 saw Friends of Green Burial PA branching out in new and exciting ways.
In February 2023, we had a table for 3 days at the PASA (Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture) conference in Lancaster, PA. This was a great place for our team to be as we got to speak to so many people from all over the state who are already ecologically and sustainability minded. There was a lot of enthusiasm for our presence there and we were "thanked" by many attendees! This conference had an expensive registration fee ($500) and we used a big chunk of our yearly budget to pull it off.
Free green burial presentations were given at a variety of locations and in partnership with a number of entities-
February - In person, Grieco Funeral Home in Kennett Square, PA
March - On Zoom, in partnership with Nature's Sanctuary and Laurel Hill Cemetery
April - In person, Narberth Public Library in Narberth, PA
May - On Zoom, Rhonneymeade Arboretum and Sculpture Garden in Centre Hall, PA
September - In Person, tabling at the Market of the Macabre in Bala Cynwyd, PA
October - In Person, Union Hill Cemetery Board of Directors Meeting in Kennett Square, PA
October - In Person, table at the Green Philly Sustainability Awards, Philadelphia, PA
November - On Zoom, Penn State Great Valley Campus, Office of Sustainability
Ongoing Education Work:
Our email newsletter goes out 8-10 times a year, chock full of information and resources to help people learn more about natural burial and be empowered to choose this after death alternative for themselves or someone else.
Our email subscriber list has grown tremendously in the last year- we are at 272 subscribers at the time of this update. Our Facebook page has 291 followers and our newly created Instagram page has 152 followers.
How did we spend our money?
Along with registration fees to participate in the PASA conference and Market of the Macabre, we spent hundreds of dollars on getting educational articles and materials printed to hand out at our events. We also purchased a new vinyl banner with our name and logo on it.
What Challenges did we face? What did we learn this year?
Ongoing challenges include the lack of funds. We are selective about which events we participate in because many festivals, fairs, and conferences charge significant entrance fees.
We continue to learn that people are very receptive to hearing about this option. Many are curious about it and excited to hear more.
Plans for 2024:
We plan to have a table at the 3-day PASA conference again in 2024. Unfortunately, the registration fee has gone up to $600 and we are not there yet! Any donations towards that goal would be greatly appreciated!
PA Land Conservation Conference in Bethlehem, PA in April 2024:
Exciting news! Carin Bonifacino, one of our co-founders, just found out that her proposal for a session at this conference has been accepted. Her session, "Natural Burial: Connecting People with Land from Cradle to Grave," will take place on April 4 from 11 am to 12 pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to reach the conservation organization community in the state and educate them about how the goals of green burial and the goals of land conservation are mutually supportive and can be beautifully integrated.
In February 2023, we had a table for 3 days at the PASA (Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture) conference in Lancaster, PA. This was a great place for our team to be as we got to speak to so many people from all over the state who are already ecologically and sustainability minded. There was a lot of enthusiasm for our presence there and we were "thanked" by many attendees! This conference had an expensive registration fee ($500) and we used a big chunk of our yearly budget to pull it off.
Free green burial presentations were given at a variety of locations and in partnership with a number of entities-
February - In person, Grieco Funeral Home in Kennett Square, PA
March - On Zoom, in partnership with Nature's Sanctuary and Laurel Hill Cemetery
April - In person, Narberth Public Library in Narberth, PA
May - On Zoom, Rhonneymeade Arboretum and Sculpture Garden in Centre Hall, PA
September - In Person, tabling at the Market of the Macabre in Bala Cynwyd, PA
October - In Person, Union Hill Cemetery Board of Directors Meeting in Kennett Square, PA
October - In Person, table at the Green Philly Sustainability Awards, Philadelphia, PA
November - On Zoom, Penn State Great Valley Campus, Office of Sustainability
Ongoing Education Work:
Our email newsletter goes out 8-10 times a year, chock full of information and resources to help people learn more about natural burial and be empowered to choose this after death alternative for themselves or someone else.
Our email subscriber list has grown tremendously in the last year- we are at 272 subscribers at the time of this update. Our Facebook page has 291 followers and our newly created Instagram page has 152 followers.
How did we spend our money?
Along with registration fees to participate in the PASA conference and Market of the Macabre, we spent hundreds of dollars on getting educational articles and materials printed to hand out at our events. We also purchased a new vinyl banner with our name and logo on it.
What Challenges did we face? What did we learn this year?
Ongoing challenges include the lack of funds. We are selective about which events we participate in because many festivals, fairs, and conferences charge significant entrance fees.
We continue to learn that people are very receptive to hearing about this option. Many are curious about it and excited to hear more.
Plans for 2024:
We plan to have a table at the 3-day PASA conference again in 2024. Unfortunately, the registration fee has gone up to $600 and we are not there yet! Any donations towards that goal would be greatly appreciated!
PA Land Conservation Conference in Bethlehem, PA in April 2024:
Exciting news! Carin Bonifacino, one of our co-founders, just found out that her proposal for a session at this conference has been accepted. Her session, "Natural Burial: Connecting People with Land from Cradle to Grave," will take place on April 4 from 11 am to 12 pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to reach the conservation organization community in the state and educate them about how the goals of green burial and the goals of land conservation are mutually supportive and can be beautifully integrated.
And a BIG, BIG THANK YOU-
To all those who donated to our organization and its work in 2023, we are so grateful for your support of our mission. We could not do this without you! Blessings to you and yours in this holiday season and in the coming year.
Truly yours,
The team-
Carin, Elaine, and Emily
Friends of Green Burial PA