Extrait E-Newsletter 2008 "Centre for Natural Burial"

"Cemetery Development (Japan): With natural burial grounds becoming increasingly popular among people wanting to "return to nature" after they die, a new ecologically friendly woodland burial ground was opened near Tokyo this autumn. Situated in a quiet, hilly area in Sodegaura, Chiba Prefecture, about a one-hour drive from central Tokyo, the Soto sect Shinkoji temple opened the burial ground after clearing about 10,000 square meters of land in its compound.Located about 80 meters above sea level, the area, which is covered with lawns and planted with saplings of cherry and camphor trees, has a tranquil atmosphere."This burial ground enabled us to meet the needs of those wishing to be laid to rest in nature," temple priest Kazuyuki Okamoto said. "At the same time, we can pass on satoyama [forests close to human settlements] with a balanced ecosystem to future generations."A tombstone, measuring 18 centimeters by 18 centimeters, and five centimeters thick, can be inscribed with the owner’s name and placed in the plot.The cost is 700,000 yen per person, and plots can accommodate couples or even an entire family. When two or more persons are buried in a plot, 400,000 yen is charged for each additional person buried there. The temple plans to make 140 plots available.The temple and those signing a contract to be buried in the grounds will plant trees every year in the cemetery. About 100 species of trees, mainly those indigenous to the region, such as the yamazakura cherry tree, the mitsubatsutsuji azalea and the shirakashi oak, will be planted in the grounds. The temple plans to tend to the trees indefinitely.A number of natural burial options have become available in recent years, including two popular "cherry burial grounds" in Tokyo, where ashes are buried under cherry trees."