I’ve spent the last two and a half months in Philadelphia – helping my Dad transition from living totally on his own to having someone come into his home daily to help out with errands, cooking, etc. I listened to him speak more about death on this trip than I have my entire life time.
So when I received a reminder about screening a documentary on green burial late last week, my first reaction was ‘Really? I’m absolutely exhausted, am jammed up with work, and do I really want to watch a documentary on death?’
Something told me to make the time to view it. And boy am I glad I did. I don’t remember ever so highly recommending a documentary. A Will for the Woods is a powerful testimonial for why you should seriously consider green burial.
I urge you to watch this short snippet and see when it will be coming to a theatre near you. And if it isn’t, think about hosting a viewing in your home. It has the power to change the way you view death and your connection to nature.
A Will for the Woods – Official Trailer from A Will for the Woods on Vimeo.
Synopsis
“What if our last act could be a gift to the planet? Musician, psychiatrist, and folk dancer Clark Wang prepares for his own green burial in this immersive documentary.
While battling lymphoma, Clark has discovered a burgeoning movement that uses burial to conserve and restore natural areas, forgoing contemporary funeral practices that operate at the ecosystem’s expense. Boldly facing his mortality, Clark and his partner Jane have become passionate about green burial, compelled by both the environmental benefits and the idea that one can remain within the cycle of life, rather than being cut off from it. The spirited pair have inspired a compassionate local cemeterian, and together they aim to use green burial to save a North Carolina woods from being clear-cut.
Making the most of the time that he has, Clark finds joy in his music and dance, connection with his friends and family, and great comfort in the knowledge that his death, whenever it happens, will be a force for regeneration. The film follows Clark’s dream of leaving a loving, permanent legacy, and environmentalism takes on a deeply human intimacy.
Documenting one community’s role in the genesis of a revolutionary movement, A Will for the Woods draws the viewer into a life-affirming portrait of people embracing their connection to each other and to timeless natural cycles.”
Green Burial
Green burial is a simple and natural alternative to resource-intensive contemporary burial or cremation. The deceased is laid to rest in the earth using only biodegradable materials and without a vault or toxic embalming, in a woodland or other natural setting, often with a fieldstone or indigenous plant marking the grave. This practice can be used as a conservation tool, enabling the acquisition, restoration, and stewardship of natural areas. Simple natural burials were prevalent for thousands of years (and still are in many parts of the world, including in traditional Muslim and Jewish burials) before the contemporary funeral industry propagated the standard of expensive and elaborate funerals divorced from natural processes.
A Will for the Woods- a documentary on green burial
“A powerful, personal testament to the ‘green burial’ movement…with humor, eloquence, anguish and reflection.”
– Sylvia Pfeiffenberger, Indy Week
“An immersive, heartwarming tale.”
– Elias Savada, Film Threat
“[One of] Nine documentaries that you need to see this year … which no documentary fan should miss…Has the potential to affect not just individual viewers but the American way of death.”
– Marianna Torgovnick, TED Blog
Psychiatrist and musician Clark Wang advocates for green burial – and prepares for his own – while living with a serious illness. Set amid the genesis of a social and environmental movement, A WILL FOR THE WOODS draws the viewer into a life-affirming portrait of people embracing their connection to timeless natural cycles.
Now it’s your turn. If you thought about how you want to be buried–and what your thoughts are on green burial?
Wow, Fran…thank you for sharing! This looks fascinating…just watching the trailer gave me a different sense of peace about death. And ever since visiting North Carolina for my training with Duke Integrative Medicine, I have had a special attachment to the area. I would get off the plane and immediately feel calm and at home with my spirit and soul, so perhaps nature will be calling me back home when I pass on…
Stacey- It is interesting how something can prick our unconscious and get us to stop and reflect. It sounds like there may be some synchronicity in play for you with North Caroline and green burial. Thanks for your comment! Fran
Fascinating, Fran! I would love to watch the full documentary and will be keeping my eye open for it.
Sandra- I don’t know if it will be coming to your neck of the woods but if you check on line, I’m sure there are ways of viewing it. Well worth the time. Fran
Hi Fran,
Very, very cool. I’ve long since struggled with how I feel about the whole traditional burial thing. I’ve loved the serenity of the woods forever so I’m definitely going to ponder this and would like to see the full film.
Thanks for bringing the doc to our attention!
Best to you!
Beth- I don’t know if it’s going to be playing at a theatre near you but I strongly urge you to try to see it if it is. It was so beautiful to see the care, love, and kindness when tending the body and placing it in the earth- some reviewers said the movie was maudlin. I thought it was truly a movie of hope and grace. Fran
Thanks for the recommendation. I just missed the screening in NY.
I just send this post to my sister. We have been following the green burial movement. She is an artist and has been interested in creating eco alternative urns and burials.
Hope you Dad’s transition is going well. I know it can be tough. My sister and I moved back to the East Coast last fall as my mom has been dealing with Parkinson’s for a while and had a series of falls over the course of a year which has led into a care facility.
Wendy- Then this movie a ‘must-see’ for you. Very interesting that your sister is interested in creating eco-alternative urns. So sorry to hear about your Mom- Parkinson’s can be a tough disease. My Mom had ALS and it was debilitating. My Dad is doing fine- thanks for asking. He just had to admit that at age 90, he needed some help in the house and that MAYBE (we’ve been begging him for years) that he should no longer drive. Where are you living now??? Fran
Hi Fran,
This is such a fascinating topic. I never even knew there was such a thing as a “green burial.” I’m with you, I never would have thought of watching a documentary on how/where they bury people would be at the top of my list, but you’ve convinced me to keep an eye out for it and take a look if the opportunity presents itself. Thanks so much for sharing. I appreciate it!
Hey Victor-
Am so glad you took the time to check out the post- hope you looked at the trailer. Yes, green burial has been around for a while but it takes a documentry like this one to give it the buzz it deserves. It is getting a lot of publicity so am hopeful that theaters beyond large urban areas will pick it up. Thanks for stopping by. Fran
Hi Fran,
This is an absolutely novel process I’m getting to know.
I understand that the practice of burying in biodegradable stuff
facilitates greening of the surrounding areas.
It’s certainly laudable.
Thanks for the insight
Mona
Mona- You’re welcome. And you’ve just taught me something….that it facilitates greening of the surrounding area- although it makes perfect sense..
Have a great weekend! Fran
Very interesting, Fran. I have not heard of the ‘green burial’ movement, but it makes so much sense, something that we should all think about. Thanks for sharing the video, I can see that it has won many awards, so I look forward to seeing it soon. I appreciate you bringing this to our attention.
Cathy-
Yes, the movie has been garnering awards and is definitely worth seeing. Am glad it interests you!