Following existing natural burial sites in Halle and Sint-Antonius, the sub-municipality of Zoersel will also have its own location for natural burials, situated within the municipal forest.
According to Kim Peeters from the civil affairs department, a natural burial site is a place where ashes can be scattered or buried in a natural setting. Burials will take place in biodegradable urns, potentially containing a cutting or seed of a native tree, which can contribute to the development of a memorial forest. The natural environment will be preserved as much as possible.
To maintain the natural state, flowers, memorials, gravestones, or nameplates will not be permitted at the natural burial site.
Peeters notes a growing interest in natural burials, with more people consciously choosing a final resting place in nature, finding the idea of 'literally becoming one with nature' to be healing.
