Blog – Campo de Estrellas

Pet Burial at Campo de Estrellas

Pet burials can be as intimate and moving as human ones, often helping us become familiar with grief in a clarifying and deeply emotional way. When we lose a beloved animal, we’re suddenly confronted with the absence of a life we cherished and we want to honor them in a way that upholds their memory. For many people, burying a pet is the most fitting tribute: it gives them a place to rest and marks their time on earth.

The mourning of pets is ancient. Cats have been found embalmed in Egyptian tombs. The Chinese buried their war horses to honor their service. The Greeks laid their dogs to rest in tribute to their loyalty. It’s no surprise then that we continue to practice pet burial today. A compelling exploration of modern pet burial can be found in Paul Koudounaris’s book Faithful Unto Death: Pet Cemeteries, Animal Graves, and Eternal Devotion.

Koudounaris documents the emotional memorials created for animals that touched human lives. His research also led to the discovery of the true author of The Rainbow Bridge, perhaps the most famous poem about pet loss. Long misattributed or credited to “Anonymous,” the poem was written by Edna Clyne-Rekhy, who penned it as a teenager mourning her dog, Major. Now in her 80s, Ms. Clyne-Rekhy was profiled in a moving piece by Koudounaris on the Order of the Good Death.

Pet burial at Campo de Estrellas

Pet burial is allowed at Campo de Estrellas and is part of our history, even before the cemetery officially existed. The former landowner buried his beloved dog, Boomer, on the property. Before him, a cowgirl buried her roping horse here.

Once the land was dedicated as a cemetery, animals and their spirits continued to be part of our legacy. Our very first burial was for Laika, the beloved dog of our co-founder, Michael. Laika was a companion on the project as she joined us for work days, roamed the cemetery field while we mowed, seeded wildflowers, and managed mesquite. Burying her in the field where she played felt natural, as it did when she was later joined by Josie and Midknight, our co-founder Cindy’s two dogs, who also loved running through the cemetery. Each of their graves was hand-dug, and we held small ceremonies to honor what they meant to us. Today, markers sit atop their graves, and loblolly pines have been planted in their memory.

At Campo de Estrellas, all pet burials are hand-dug, which avoids the added cost of using a professional grave-opening service. We recommend a 2 ft x 2 ft grave. We can provide a shovel and post-hole digger if needed.

A few suggestions from our own experience:

Enlist help: Because the size is manageable, it’s easier to dig, though we recommend allowing ample time and bringing extra help.
Soften the soil: Bring a couple of gallons of water to pour over the area before digging.
Bring extra soil: A small bag of fresh topsoil is helpful when refilling the grave, especially since not all removed soil makes it back into the ground. This allows you to form a slight mound over the grave, giving it space to settle naturally.

If you’re considering a pet burial, we encourage you to contact us. We’re here to support you in honoring your companion. Campo de Estrellas is not just a place for rest—it’s a place for remembrance, connection, and love that transcends species.

The Rainbow Bridge Poem

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, your pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water, and sunshine, and friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and strength, those who were hurt are made better and strong again, like we remember them before they go to heaven. They are happy and content except for one small thing, they each miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance, his bright eyes are shineing (sic), his body shakes. Suddenly he begins to run from the herd, rushing over the grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cuddle in a happy hug never to be apart again. You and your pet are in tears. Your hands again cuddle his head and you look again into his trusting eyes, so long gone from life, but never absent from your heart, and then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.

Cremation Burial

Cremation is the most popular funeral option for body disposition in the United States, accounting for over 60% of all funeral arrangements. This number will continue to grow largely due to the affordability and flexibility of the option. Perhaps the most significant aspect of cremation is the time it affords families to grieve, reflect, and prepare a ceremony that truly honors the deceased. While some families choose to keep ashes, many find comfort in creating a permanent resting place. This practice connects modern cremation with its historical roots, where fire symbolized purification, and burial completed the transition by offering the remains back to the earth as part of the natural cycle.

For those who choose to do so, burying cremated remains provides a dedicated space for remembrance. It creates a tangible connection to the deceased, offering a site where family and friends can gather, reflect, and honor their loved one’s life. Burial can also reinforce a bond with the land or community, grounding grief in a place of significance. Sometimes, having a physical location fosters a sense of presence for our grief, of knowing where to go when seeking solace.

Recently, we held a cremation burial at Campo de Estrellas that was as meaningful and cathartic as any full-body burial we’ve witnessed. Poems were read, music was played, and memories were shared. The atmosphere was one of deep respect and intention, a fitting tribute to a life well lived.

Preparing for the Burial

The process began a few weeks prior when the family selected a burial site. At Campo de Estrellas, our cremation plots are 2 feet by 2 feet, opening up more options around the cemetery in terms of placement. The family chose a serene spot among a stand of trees, where shade offers respite in the warmer months.

The Ceremony

On the day of the burial, the family gathered on benches near the chosen site to begin the ceremony. At our cemetery, cremation plots are hand-dug, as they only need to be about two feet deep. The family made this task part of the ceremony, pausing readings to take turns removing earth from the spot. We provided a post-hole digger to ease the process, which was especially helpful given our region’s often compacted soil. Fortunately, recent rains had softened the ground, making the dig smoother than expected.

Once the grave was prepared, the family prepared the ashes for burial. The ashes arrived in a standard temporary plastic container from the funeral home, inside of which they were sealed in a plastic bag with a zip tie. This is a common practice, so those planning to scatter or transfer ashes should be prepared with scissors. I had one on hand, and together we carefully opened the bag.
Rather than pouring the ashes directly into the grave, the family chose a more intimate approach: each member took a handful of ashes and placed them into the earth. Wearing special gloves purchased for the occasion, they knelt down, cradled the ashes like something sacred, and spoke words of sorrow, love, and peace. The act was deeply personal and moving to witness, as both the young and old participated in laying their loved one to rest.

When they had finished, they took turns covering the grave with the soil they had removed earlier. To mark the site, they placed a hand-painted stone atop the fresh earth, surrounded by clippings of greenery from the cemetery. A soft breeze rustled through the trees, as if nature itself acknowledged the moment.

Now, the cemetery quietly holds their loved one among native grasses and young saplings beginning to reclaim the landscape. Nearby, a small tree has emerged, finally pushing through the soil after patiently waiting for the right conditions.
The family mentioned they would visit whenever they were in town, marking the beginning of what could become a cherished tradition. Their choice to bury the ashes was not about making a grand gesture but about establishing a relationship with the land and honoring their grief process.

A Transformative Ritual

Cremation burials provide a form of closure through the material presence of a dedicated space. The act of choosing a location, conducting a ritual, and committing ashes to the soil fosters a deep sense of meaning. Even in an era where convenience often dictates funeral choices, this practice reminds us that grief is a process, one that continues long after the flames have died out.

Habitat Preservation at Campo de Estrellas

If you’ve visited our cemetery, you may wonder why we leave big piles of brush scattered around the cemetery. Or, why we’ve left dead trees just standing around. Our reason is simple: these “unsightly” piles are excellent places to shelter small wildlife! They make up the natural features of our landscape that encourages the re-wilding of a habitat for animals that have been previously driven from the area due to agriculture overuse. Read on to learn a little more about these methods.

Brush or Slash Piles

Any time you see these piles of brush and branches, you can assume that there is abundant life and activity going on inside from a whole bunch of animals and bugs – and that’s a good thing.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service tells us the following:

“Made up of woody debris and loose leaf litter stacked together, these piles provide great shelter for small mammals like voles and squirrels, along with salamanders and snakes. Weasels, foxes and hawks will also use them for shelter and hunting grounds. Many birds use these woody sanctuaries for cover and will oftentimes nest along logs or under piles of branches on the ground. Over time, the decaying wood will bring insects for birds and small mammals to feed on and ultimately give nutrients back to the soil.”*

So you see, there is a method to our messiness.

*U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Brush Piles – A Safe Space for Wildlife, May 9, 2023

Half Cuts

This is a good example of a half cut.

This particular one is not on our land but it clearly shows how a branch can be cut halfway through so that it can continue to grow and provide accessibility to browse and to create instant cover. Quail and turkeys especially love half cut trees to facilitate nesting and travel.

The half cuts we have made tend to be near large trees and surrounded by native shrubs which renders them practically invisible to the casual visitor.

Snags and Logs

Dead trees, also called snags, and fallen trees and branches, also called logs, are an important part of our overall wildlife management plan.

The Wildlife Federation has this to say: “Dead trees provide vital habitat for more than 1,000 species of wildlife nationwide. They also count as cover and places for wildlife to raise young. By some estimates, the removal of dead material from forests can mean a loss of habitat for up to one-fifth of the animals in the ecosystem.
Wildlife species use nearly every part of a dead tree in every stage of its decay for things such as:

A Place to Live—Many animals, including birds, bats, squirrels and raccoons make nests in hollow cavities and crevices in standing deadwood.
A Food Source—By attracting insects, mosses, lichens and fungi, deadwood becomes a gourmet restaurant for wildlife looking for a snack.
A “Crow’s Nest“—Higher branches of snags serve as excellent look-outs from which wildlife such as raptors spot potential prey.
A Hiding Place—The nooks and crannies of deadwood are put to good use by squirrels and other wildlife looking to store food.
A Soil Refresher—Mosses, lichens and fungi all grow on snags and aid in the return of vital nutrients to the soil through the nitrogen cycle. Decaying logs on the forest floor also act as “nurse logs” for new seedlings.”*

If you put your imagination to work, snags can even look like sculptural elements among the trees!

*Wildlife Federation, Gardening for Wildlife, Trees and Snags

Long-Distance Transportation for Natural Burial

We here at Campo de Estrellas are blessed to have supporters of our project living both near and far. From our further-away friends (including some in our own family), we are often asked how they can arrange to be transported to our cemetery for burial after death. That is quickly followed by a musing on whether or not it would be a truly ‘green’ burial if long-haul transportation is involved.

We’ll address both in this post, meant to be read when you are not under the stress of having to arrange such a task. If that’s not you, we’ll try to keep it brief and informative.

Long-distance transportation after death is a scenario that has actually been quite central to the evolution of funeral practices. The practice of embalming, a cornerstone of the modern funeral industry, was originally developed to address the need to transport the deceased over long distances. During the Civil War, embalming was developed to preserve soldiers’ bodies with formaldehyde so they could be transported home via rail. Bodily refrigeration wasn’t available at the scale of the war casualties, so embalming became the most practical solution.

Today, we’ve moved beyond formaldehyde injections. Refrigeration and airtight containers make it possible to transport bodies without embalming, preserving both the integrity of the body and adherence to natural burial principles.

Natural burial, with its emphasis on biodegradable materials and restrictions on embalming, can still accommodate long-distance transportation. Cooling a body and using an airtight container ensures compliance with natural burial guidelines. Upon arrival, the body is transferred into a biodegradable casket that meets cemetery regulations.

For families navigating this process, working with a funeral home simplifies matters significantly. Funeral directors are well-versed in the logistics of transportation and can arrange for bodies to travel by car or plane, providing guidance and handling the necessary paperwork. Costs for transportation, whether mileage or airfare, are typically paid through the funeral home managing the arrangements.

Transporting a body involves both legal and practical elements. If you’re working with a funeral home, they’ll handle the process for you. However, for those curious about what it entails, these are the essentials:

Obtaining Permits: The jurisdiction where the death occurs requires a burial transit permit. This can usually be arranged through the state’s vital statistics office.
Choosing Transportation: Bodies can travel by car or plane. If using a personal vehicle, a minivan works well for its space and discretion. Overnight trips may require coordination with a funeral home to use their facilities for storage.
Air Travel: When flying, the deceased is placed in a sealed, airtight container to ensure safety and containment. These containers are handled through the airline’s cargo system, separate from passenger areas. Upon arrival, the funeral home picks up the body from the airport’s cargo terminal.

To give you a sense of how this process plays out in practice, let’s say someone is transporting a loved one from Michigan to Texas. The funeral home in Michigan would coordinate with a partner funeral home in Texas to ensure safe and respectful transfer. It’s a collaborative system built over decades and reflects the funeral industry’s true roots in deceased travel arrangements.

Currently, it is true that travel by any motorized method for any reason will not beat the pollution allegations. However, it’s important to consider the broader perspective.
A natural burial site such as ours serves as a permanent space for restoration and preservation, protecting land from development and fostering native ecosystems. For families, it also creates a dedicated space for reflection and connection. If someone passes while traveling, the resources used to return them home are often the same ones they would have consumed during life.

The emotional and spiritual benefits of choosing a natural burial tend to outweigh the environmental trade-offs. These include fostering a relationship with the land, honoring a loved one’s connection to a specific place, and providing family members with a meaningful space to mourn and remember. And, with the rise in interest in natural burial, it’s likely that there will be closer natural burial options for folks to chose from, making long-distance travel unnecessary.

Winter Solstice Event 2024

The winter solstice on December 21, 2024, marked the longest period of darkness in the northern hemisphere, a turning point after which the days grow longer and the light gradually pushes back the shadows. As a powerful symbol of transition and hope, the winter solstice invites us to honor the changing season and embrace the coming light.

Much like the rituals we observe to honor those who have passed, solstice celebrations vary widely across cultures. In Norse and Celtic traditions, the burning of a yule log symbolizes warmth, light, and the sun’s return during the darkest time of the year—a poignant reminder of our life-giving estrella.

Inspired by this astronomical event and the yule log tradition, we partnered with our friends at the Central Texas Mycological Society (CTMS) to host a unique celebration at Campo de Estrellas Conservation Cemetery. The day was a spectacular mix of knowledge sharing, exploration, reflection, and community.

Our event began around noon at the farmhouse on Abbey Grange, the property housing Campo de Estrellas. Participants gathered in the cozy main room, enjoying cups of yaupon tea, coffee, and delectable snacks like “Mushrooms Casino,” mushroom jerky, and persimmon cookies provided by Austin Davenport and Angel Shatz of CTMS.

The Campo de Estrellas team then gave a presentation on the history of Abbey Grange, its rewilding efforts, the legal aspects of opening a conservation cemetery in Texas, and the principles of natural burial. Engaging discussions followed, fueled by thought-provoking questions from the participants. It is always so heartening to be reminded of the community’s deep interest in natural burial and our mission.

After the presentation, we ventured into the cemetery for hands-on demonstrations. Groups rotated between participating in a shrouding and processing activity and touring the cemetery with Cindy, who highlighted our gardens, explained grave-marking processes, and shared stories of those buried here.

I led the shrouding demonstration, where volunteers practiced shrouding a willing participant and carrying them to a mock burial site outlined by a wooden frame and adorned with yaupon holly clippings. While shrouding may not be part of everyone’s end-of-life plan, offering a safe and lighthearted environment for people to experience these rituals can be profoundly moving. One participant even chose to read a poem aloud from within the shroud – a moment of humor and humanity true to the spirit of the event.

After all groups had participated, we reconvened at the farmhouse for a sunset ecology walk led by Chris Garza, an ecologist with extensive knowledge of Central Texas’ plants, fungi, and wildlife. Chris encouraged us to reflect on the yule log tradition as we gathered bits of nature to adorn our log. Along the path, he pointed out the thriving winter flora and shared tips on pruning limbs safely without exposing trees to infection. The highlight of the walk was discovering Texas Star mushrooms (Chorioactis geaster), an incredibly rare fungus found only in Texas and Japan. These unique “stars” emerged from a felled cedar stump, also known as the ‘black crown’. It was thrilling to know that our little plot of land was home to something so rare and was indeed a ‘field of stars’!

The day concluded at the farmhouse firepit, where we adorned the yule log with our collected clippings. Around the fire, participants shared solstice reflections inspired by the plants we’d encountered. “Keep what is beautiful and let go of the rest,” one person said. “Lean toward the light,” another added. As the log burned and the sun set behind the trees, we celebrated the season with warmth, connection, and gratitude for the life that continues all around us. Under the twinkling winter sky, we embraced the enduring power of light and renewal.