Frequently Asked Questions

We are now open at 2406 Ridge Road, Windsor Mill, MD 21244.

Only natural burials (also referred to as “green burials”) are permitted. This is how most people were buried until the Civil War when embalming first came into use. In a natural burial a person is laid to rest in a biodegradable container such as a wooden casket, shroud, or some other biodegradable container. The contained body is placed directly in the ground as there is no burial vault permitted. Typically, there is no embalming with environmentally toxic materials. If the body is embalmed, only newer. approved nontoxic fluids (approved by either the Green Burial Council or our office) are permitted.

Visit our Rules & Regulations page for more information.

Grave markers are permitted but optional. Like most other green cemeteries we limit grave markers to being made from local, natural materials—like wood or stone, and they must be placed flat to the ground. For single lots, the exposed surface area of the flush marker must not exceed 300 square inches and no linear dimension should exceed 25 inches. (Larger markers are available for multiple graves in large family estates.) These headstones will be supplied as part of the interment fee from Serenity Ridge.

Visit our Rules & Regulations page for more information.

In order to contribute to our detailed forest restoration plan, we want to be sure only specific species of native plants are introduced on the site. Plantings in memory of the deceased will be available for purchase. Records of memorial plants—by whom, for whom, and when given—will be maintained by the cemetery and available on a memorial wall and on our software.

All plantings will be native to Maryland. Placement will be according to the approved cemetery’s landscape plan which is designed to enhance the natural environment and habitat and to further the purpose of the long term restoration of the land.

Additionally, memorial boulders, benches and other hardscape items can be purchased based on the overall Master Plan.

Visit our Rules & Regulations page for more information.

All graves will be at a depth of 3.5 feet. This allows for aerobic decomposition which is more efficient than burying deeper. Any concerns that animals could dig up the grave are not supported in fact as an animal smell zone is no deeper than 18 inches.

Visit our Green Burial page for more information.

Serenity Ridge offers two kinds of lots for sale. Select is where a specific grave-site is selected in an area open for sale at the time of death. Sequential is when a family prearranges a grave-site with payment however, the site is not selected until there is a death. At that time the client family is given a choice of what is available. Alternatively, Serenity Ridge could select the grave site and an adjoining lot could be selected to set up a family area.

In many parts of the world, graves are reused after a time. Some states are moving toward leasing the grave for a number of years followed by reversion to the cemetery. In Maryland, current law allows for a certificate of ownership. Essentially, the family “owns” the right of burial and the right to place a memorial, all other rights and responsibilities remain with the cemetery.