Green burial is highly-effective yet under-utilized form of climate action that allows us to reconcile our inescapable human imposition on our land by returning to the earth with real intention. It is at once an ancient and radically modern practice in which human remains are interred directly into the earth, without the use of any toxic substances or preservatives, and either with no container at all or in 100% natural and biodegradable shrouds or coffins. Conservation burial incorporates green burial practices into a larger plan of careful habitat restoration and preservation to create deeply meaningful natural spaces for contemplation, remembrance, and gratitude. Moreover, conservation burial tends to be a significantly more affordable–and thus more widely accessible–option for dignified burial than mainstream alternatives.
Campo de Estrellas is a conservation cemetery in Smithville, TX. Our project works to reconnect and reconcile people from diverse backgrounds to nature, spirituality, mortality, and each other through conservation burial.
WorkshopsConservation Burial
The Team
A funeral director, a lawyer, and a retired nurse walk into a field…
…and a vision is born. A vision of a place that will inspire people to think differently about death, dying, and legacy. A vision of a place that will become a refuge for wildlife, rich in biodiversity, color, and life. A vision of a place that becomes a focal point for a larger community that believes in the importance of setting aside space for nature, memory, and rustic beauty.
Whether you join us for a workshop, a rewilding day, or make Campo de Estrellas part of your end-of-life planning, we welcome you as part of our team and circle of friends.
Can't wait to share what we've been a part of this past month with @electric_pearl_productions and @thecurlyvshow 🎥🤫✨️
Filled with gratitude as we reflect on all the work we've done...in collaboration with Mother Nature... to transform Campo de Estrellas! ✨️ We're just getting started...
#conservationcemetery #naturalburial #greenburial #texas #campodeestrellas
We ❤️ Texas wildflowers!🌼🪻🌻
Last year, author Heather Beasley Doyle included Campo de Estrellas in her article on green burial and its practitioners around the country. The article shares some background on why our co-founder, Cindy Ybarra, dedicated a large swath of her farm to being a conservation cemetery. Facing her despair around climate collapse, she chose to channel her grief into a project that would restore and rewild the land so that others could share in the natural beauty of the countryside. By offering it as a final resting place, the spirit of the land is restored as well.
Click the link in our bio to read Heather’s piece and reserve your spot for our upcoming workshop on May 28th to learn more about the past, present, and future of Campo de Estrellas!
Preparing the cemetery meant that we had to clear away dying, invasive, or overgrown foliage to make spaces for burials and pathways. The resulting brush cuttings have a new purpose: creating a home for wildlife!
These little 'rest stops' are great for migrating birds as well as providing shelter for rabbits 🐇 foxes 🦊 and of course, snakes! 🐍
When you visit our cemetery, you will see these lively piles in a few places, an unusual sight for a cemetery. But we're not your 'usual' cemetery. We're creating a burial ground that encourages conservation of the natural habitat.
To learn more about conservation burial, join us for our next in-person workshop on May 28th. See the link in our bio for more details!
CAMPO De ESTRELLAS IN-PERSON WORKSHOP!
Join us for our first-ever in-person workshop at Campo de Estrellas on May 28th, 2023 from 10AM - 3PM
Tickets are FREE, but space is very limited, so grab your spot today via the link in our bio or by going to campodeestrellas.co/in-person-workshop
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ABOUT THE WORKSHOP: Spend a day at the cemetery learning about the history, practice and technique of conservation burial.
The workshop will start with an informative session in the farmhouse, where we will provide you with a history of our cemetery land and conservation activities, information about the legal protections for this type of burial and an overview of green burial practices. We will also be discussing the various burial options available at Campo de Estrellas.
After the session, we will move outdoors to the cemetery to participate in a mock green burial complete with shrouding techniques. You will learn about the proper techniques for shrouding a loved one and participate in a symbolic burial, providing a unique opportunity for a deeper understanding of the natural burial process.
Lunch will be included in the workshop!
She disagrees💅 At CdE, decay is progress 😉
Join us for our first virtual workshop of 2023! Sunday, February 26th from 2pm - 4pm, CST. Tickets are free and space is limited. This will not be recorded. Link in bio!
Contact Us
Campo de Estrellas Conservation Cemetery