Episode Details

Anchorages Public Cemetery Nearing Capacity, Natural Burial Ground Proposal Faces Hurdles

Anchorage is grappling with a severe shortage of affordable burial space, with its main public cemetery nearing full capacity and private options costing thousands. A nonprofit, Alaska Natural Burial, aims to create a low-cost natural burial ground on a city-owned ten-acre parcel in South Anchorage. This site would accommodate over two thousand graves while preserving the natural landscape, bordered by parks and offering mountain and inlet views.

Natural burials involve no embalming fluids, vaults, or headstones, using biodegradable shrouds and simple markers. The proposal aligns with the citys desire to avoid significant taxpayer costs and addresses the shortage without burdening residents. However, the project faced setbacks at a recent advisory commission meeting due to concerns about groundwater, runoff, and engineering details for numerous burials. Despite these challenges, project founder Rachel Bernhardt remains hopeful and plans to collaborate with experts to address these issues. The proposal now awaits a final decision from the city assembly.

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