Landscape design for the Jewish Community of Amherst Cemetery

A landscape design for

The Jewish Community of Amherst Cemetery Shutesbury, MA

Jessica E. Orkin The Conway School Fall 2012

Index of Sheets

1. Introduction 2. Context: Existing Conditions 3. Site Analysis 4. Analysis: Property Burial Capacity 5. Analysis: Burial Law 6. Analysis: Jewish Culture & Green Burial 7. Analysis: Forest Burial 8. Analysis: Soil Profile, Digging and Decomposition 9. Final Design: Introduction 10. Design Alternative I: New Beginnings 11. Design Alternative II: Buried Landscape 12. Design Alternative III: Cradle to Grave 13. Final Design 14. Planting Palette 15-17. Materials & Precedents

Panorama photograph of the JCA Cemetery taken Fall 2012.

From left to right: Entrance gates into the burial portion of the property. The middle is the white pine forest that the cemetery committee would like to see modeled after Wildwood Cemetery’s forest burial section. To the right is the current burial area.

JCA Cemetery Committee Goals 2012 The committee envisions an environmentally friendly, attractive, peaceful cemetery with a diversity of grave site environments, consistent with Jewish burial traditions.

Burial Extension The committee would like burial extension into the white pine forest and throughout the 2.2 acres to be able to offer resting spots, including conventional lawn burial, forested burial, and low meadow burial.

Entrance to Cemetery The committee is interested in an enhanced entrance that will be seasonally beautiful and welcoming. The entrance should also help integrate the property as a whole.

Low Maintenance The committee would like a landscape that requires minimal maintenance.

The Conway School

Looking into the white pine forest at the JCA Cemetery. The forest edge is laced with young deciduous plants.

221 Leverett Road Shutesbury, MA 01072

n 2012, inspired by the forested burial area in Wildwood Cemetery in Amherst, the JCA Cemetery Committee contacted the Conway School to help it explore the expansion of burials into the white pine forest on the southeast portion of the 2.2-acre property, and make recommendations to help create a resilient and sustainable cemetery landscape that is consistent with the ideals of the JCA community.

Jessica E. Orkin

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JCA Cemetery

N

ormand Berlin, who was the head of the JCA Religion Committee, set his sights on a cemetery. In 1978 Normand wrote in a newsletter to the JCA community: “Let me emphasize that arrangements for the burial of the dead are traditionally seen as a community responsibility. Let us meet this responsibility with the same dedicated preparation that we give to birth, bar and bat mitzvah, and marriage.” With the community behind him he found land in Shutesbury, MA, that was approved for a cemetery by 1979.

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ith a cemetery came a JCA Cemetery Committee, a group of people responsible for all aspects of running a cemetery, from writing the guidelines to selling grave plots, to making funeral arrangements, to coordinating cemetery events and much more. Over the years the JCA Cemetery Committee has changed its membership and with those changes came new ideas and inspirations that has led the cemetery to where it is today.

Introduction

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n 1976 the Jewish Community of Amherst (JCA) was still a young synagogue. Its members had finally found a building they could call their own and they were looking to grow.

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Design 332 S. Deerfield Road, Conway MA 01341 Fall 2012

Introduction

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U-Shaped Drive: The U-shaped drive brings visitors from Leverett Road into the cemetery property. The driveway encircles almost half of the property and creates an island of lawn that feels separated from the rest of the property.

Stormdrain and Utility Pole:

the sacred (where people are buried) from the profane (the rest of the world); however, the fence bisects the property and, like the driveway, makes the landscape feel like two separate areas instead of one unified whole.

Half of the JCA Cemetery is covered in lawn. However, the lawn at the JCA is not typical. It has a mix of grass and forb species that are typical of sandy, acidic soils in the region. The maintenance crew mows every 2-3 weeks and in that time the grass grows 1/2 inch. Community members report that teens gather in this lawn area at night.

②

⑦ Current Burial Area: The appearance of the current burial area has been well established in the cemetery guidelines. Each gravestone is required to have a similar simple appearance. Each gravestone faces east (towards the rising sun), which follows the Jewish tradition. Perennial plantings are not permitted although that rule is challenged often. ⑧ White

①

Pine Forest: These beautiful tall trees inspired the JCA to look into alternative burial options. Where the white pine forest begins on the landscape so do the slopes on the property. The slope is gentle, but is a significant rise from the current burial area.

③

⑨

⑨ Forest

Edge: The forest edge (mixed deciduous hardwoods and conifer species) surrounds the property on the east, south and west, creating a buffer from the surrounding neighbors. In the summer the surrounding properties are not visible because of foliage but once leaves drop the neighbors become noticeable.

⑥ ⑤ ⑦

⑩ Zion Circle: “Zion Circle” is a meadow path, a 12-foot-wide burial-free zone created for maintenance vehicles to move easier around the property.

④

⑧

Residences

⑩

Residence

Residence

Gravel Mine Elementary School Gate: This gate is used by maintenance staff to get their larger equipment (mowers and excavator) into the burial area.

This gate is used occasionally by a funeral home to bring a casket closer to a grave site if the occupant is too heavy for pallbearers to carry in from the driveway.

④Maintenance

The Conway School

Mixed Lawn Species:

221 Leverett Road Shutesbury, MA 01072

Utility Pole Storm drain

Jessica E. Orkin

③

⑥Fence: The JCA Cemetery Committee likes the idea that the fence separates

0'

20'

Existing Conditions

The storm drain and the utility pole are located close to the road which means they need to be accessed by the Town of Shutesbury Highway Department. The Highway Department asks residents to maintain an area 22' from the road clear of vegetation so that the Highway Department can get access to these utilities.

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Design 332 S. Deerfield Road, Conway MA 01341 Fall 2012

Gate: This gate was donated in 2010 by Walter Leopold’s family. It was the gate to his ancestral cemetery in Germany and it serves as a reminder of a time when the world was not safe for Jews. The gates are the doorway into the sacred, which is the current burial space.

JCA Cemetery

②

⑤Pedestrian

Context

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Existing Conditions

①

40' The JCA Cemetery is located in a residential neighborhood. To the north is Leverett Road, and across the street is a row of residences. To the east is a residence. To the south is an elementary school and to the west is a residential neighbor; further west is a gravel mine that is still active.

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Soil, Slopes and Drainage

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Design 332 S. Deerfield Road, Conway MA 01341 Fall 2012

Access and Circulation

Observations

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Approximately one-quarter of the property (shown in red) is used

by JCA community members.

Approximately one-half of the property (shown in red and yellow) is used on a 2-3 week rotation by maintenance staff (mowing, forestry, plowing, burial).

Approximately one-half of the property (shown in green) is currently not being used by anyone.

A burial-free zone within the current cemetery is kept clear for maintenance (shown in purple).

Teens have been observed gathering at night in the area encircled by the drive, approximately where the blue circle is on the diagram.

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• • •

Implications •

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Forests and fence create a boundary (whether real or imaginary) which keep people out of approximately one-half of the property (shown in green). The fence surrounds the current burial area and continues into the white pine forest to the southeast.

The driveway area serves only as arrival space for funerals or visits to graves. The encircled island of lawn made by the driveway feels separate from the burial area, but may serve a useful purpose by creating a transitional space between the road and the burial area.

The driveway brings visitors and maintenance crew into the property.

Parking for events (such as the unveiling of the gates to the cemetery) and funerals is on the driveway, which at its widest is ~26 feet across, leaving room for cars to park and cars to drive through. For larger events, parking also takes place on Leverett Road.

The forest and fence keep people contained to certain areas of the property. Few people enter the thick woods.

There are two openings in the fence; one is where visitors enter and the other is for maintenance to enter the cemetery.

Access for maintenance is a lawn path approximately 12 feet wide that is kept burial free for access of heavy equipment such as mowers and excavators.

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• • • •

Implications •

Implications • • •

The driveway is not marked for parking and could leave people unsure of where to park their cars for events, especially if they are not familiar with the property.

The driveway does not have designated ADA parking so people with disabilities might be forced to park farther away or even on the road.

Leverett Road is busy and not designed for parking. Parking here can be dangerous.

Two-thirds of the cemetery is relatively flat and comfortable to walk around for an able-bodied person (<2 to 10% slopes).

One-third of the cemetery is sloped with a gentle grade that would be difficult for some visitors (10-15%).

The lowest point on the landscape is 98 feet and the highest elevation on the landscape is 115 feet (17 foot change in elevation).

Water does not pool or puddle on the site even in heavy rain.

Water drains into the low water table.

Soil is sandy so it drains quickly and excessively.

Vegetation grows on the entire property (except the driveway) which helps to stabilize soil.

• •

Trees and vegetation hold the sandy slopes in place. If trees are removed to make space for burial the slope may become unstable.

Any new vegetation planted should be suited to the soil conditions.

If sloped areas are to be open for use, a trail system will be needed that will be comfortable to maneuver for those visiting. Trails will need to be graded to <5%.

221 Leverett Road Shutesbury, MA 01072

Observations

Site Analysis

Observations

JCA Cemetery

The Conway School

Jessica E. Orkin

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Zones of Use

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Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Design 332 S. Deerfield Road, Conway MA 01341 Fall 2012

The JCA Cemetery has been a place of burial for 32 years. Each burial plot status indicates its availability: deceased, reserved or available.

Burial in the forest will need to be designed with less burial density. One burial plot per 100 square feet versus two per 100 square feet, as in the current burial area, in ideal.

JCA Cemetery Burial Capacity 2012 Total number of burial plots in current burial area: 261

Jessica E. Orkin

Burial plots filled in current burial area as of December 2012: 66

Burial plots bought in the past 2 years: 13 Average rate of burial each year at the JCA: 2

JCA Cemetery Capacity -

Beyond the Current Burial Space (a rough estimate) Future Burial: The majority of future burial will extend into the forest. This area will be less densely packed because of root systems, space for access and circulation around the property for maintenance and the excavator, and the driveway.

The future burial area equals approximately three-quarters of an acre (84,942 square feet or 1.95 acres). The current burial area is open and grassy with a density of 2 plots per 100 square feet; future burial will be less densely packed at approximately 1 plot per 100 square feet. One hundred square feet divided into 84,942 square feet (1.95 acres) results in an extra 850 plots available for future burial.

Estimated number of JCA Cemetery plots total: 1,070

As of December 2012 the current burial area at the JCA still has 67 plots available for purchase.

221 Leverett Road Shutesbury, MA 01072

Burial plots available for purchase in current burial area as of December 2012: 67

JCA Cemetery

The Conway School

Burial plots reserved in the current burial area as of December 2012: 128

Analysis Property Burial Capacity

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

JCA Cemetery Burial Capacity

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9.

10.

11.

2. Bodies can be buried at any depth.

3. People can be buried in just a shroud.

urrently, the JCA cemetery buries caskets at a depth of six feet in concrete liners. However, the JCA can legally add to their guidelines other methods of burial such as burial in a simple pine casket without a grave liner (buried at any depth) or burial where the deceased is wrapped solely in a simple shroud placed directly in the ground (buried at any depth).

221 Leverett Road Shutesbury, MA 01072

JCA Cemetery

12.

1. Cemeteries do not have to use concrete grave liners.

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Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Design 332 S. Deerfield Road, Conway MA 01341 Fall 2012

8.

Embalming and cosmetology are forbidden, except when required by law.

Cremated remains may not be interred in the cemetery.

At least a part of the body must be buried in order to have a Jewish burial service.

Only Jewish funeral religious service may be held in the sanctuary of the JCA. Non-Jewish religious icons are not permitted on headstone or in the cemetery.

There will be no public viewing of the body.

A uniform headstone no bigger than a â&#x20AC;&#x153;2 foot slantâ&#x20AC;? (2 feet wide, 10 inches thick on bottom, 3 inches thick on top and 1 foot 4 inches high) is to be placed at the gravesite, within a year.

Permanent plantings on individual gravesites are not permitted at the JCA cemetery. Annuals may be placed at the gravesite if properly maintained. The JCA reserves the right to remove any plantings not properly maintained.

Concrete graveliners are required as part of burial at the JCA Cemetery.

Placement of flags at gravesites require the approval of the Cemetery Chairperson.

The Cemetery Committee has final authority will determine appropriate locations for benches, shrubs, and ornamental trees.

The Cemetery Committee has final authority in all matters pertaining to the JCA Cemetery, and when necessary may revise the guidelines, cemetery rules, and financial rules with approval from the JCA Board.

Burial Law

The Conway School

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According to Carol Coan from the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Western Massachusetts, under Massachusetts Law:

Jessica E. Orkin

n Massachusetts, each cemetery follows a set of guidelines that the cemetey establishes. With these guidelines people may choose how they would like to be buried and then find a cemetery that supports these choices. The JCA Cemetery Guidelines as of February 2012 are as follows:

White Pine Forest

Current Burial Area

Western Forest Buffer

Shroud and Casket Burial around Trees

What the JCA guidelines could offer: many different kinds of burial to suit the requests of its members.

Burial Law

The current burial guidelines of the JCA: caskets in grave liners buried 6 feet deep.

Analysis

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

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Current Burial Area with Caskets in Cement Grave Liners

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Many green cemeteries around the United States do not require hand burial but they are supportive of families who want to participate in digging the grave of their deceased.

1' 2' Traditional Jewish Burial

JCA Burial

Green Burial

Depth of Burial Typically Buried 6 feet but can bury at other depths.

Typically buried 6 feet but can bury at other depths.

Buried 6 feet but can be buried at other depths

Burial is anywhere from 1-6 feet.

Concrete Liners

Yes

No

Yes

No

Biodegradable Materials

Caskets are not easily biodegradable.

Yes

Yes, although enclosed in concrete liner.

Yes

Embalming

Yes

No

No

No

Hand Burial

Not Typical

Not typical but could become a regular practice.

Not typical but could become a regular practice.

Typical

Burial Table

The current burial practices of the JCA members.

Once traditional rituals take place the pine casket is placed inside a concrete liner (2.5’ x 2.5’ x 8’) in the ground. The concrete liner, in an attempt to follow Jewish tradition, has 3-5 one-foot holes drilled in the base of the concrete box so that the casket can touch soil. The concrete liner then has a lid placed on top.

After the community shovels soil on top, soil is then back-filled by the excavator. Each grave has a simple headstone that faces east.

Conventional Burial

Above table is representative for the state of Massachusetts only.

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Design 332 S. Deerfield Road, Conway MA 01341 Fall 2012

Green Burial Cemeteries offer hand burial

The Conway School

Caskets are simple and biodegradable In green burial as in Jewish burial the vessel that holds the body is both simple in style and biodegradable. Jewish tradition does not allow metal to be buried with the body or casket, because metals do not break down easily, so caskets are typically put together with a biodegradable glue.

Green burial grounds typically do not allow caskets to be buried in concrete liners. Concrete is not a biodegradable material and in the United States 1.6 million tons of concrete are buried each year in grave liners alone. The idea of a green burial is for a complete return to the earth, which means a barrier-free decomposition process. Jewish burial does allow for concrete liners to be used in its cemeteries. Many cemeteries that have Jewish burial sections require those being buried to use grave liners. Companies that produce concrete liners usually offer a version which has 3-5 holes drilled into the base of the liner so the casket can still touch soil, which respects the Jewish tradition.

221 Leverett Road Shutesbury, MA 01072

Bodies are not embalmed Embalming fluid is a toxic chemical that is used to keep the decomposing process slowed during open casket funerals where bodies are viewed. Embalming fluid is toxic to those who work with it and has been linked to a variety of cancers affecting those who work in the funeral industry. 800,000 gallons of embalming fluids are buried annually in the United States.

Green Burial does not use concrete liners

4'

6'

Green burial practices: unembalmed bodies are buried in biodegradable material at various depths, from 6 feet to 1 foot. Bodies decompose more efficiently at shallower depths, taking months to decompose. In graves 4-6 feet deep bodies can take years to decompose (see sheet 8).

Jewish Culture & Green Burial

• Burial typically occurs within 24 hours.

• Soon after death the body is ritually bathed in a ceremony called the taharah.

• The body is then placed in a simple white shroud and placed into a pine casket.

• The body is left unembalmed and unadorned of jewelry or makeup.

• A guardian of the community called a shomer watches over the body overnight.

• The body and the casket are buried, to return back to the soil from which they came: “From dust you come and from dust you will return.”

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any people who make environmental choices in life would like an environmental choice in death as well.

Green burial is consistent with Jewish burial in that bodies are not embalmed and are buried in a biodegradable vessel, whether pine, cardboard, wicker or a shroud. The end goal of green burial is to return the body to the earth, allowing the energy of the body to become a part of the natural cycle.

Jessica E. Orkin

he JCA follows these traditional Jewish cultural practices:

JCA Cemetery

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Analysis

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Jewish Burial is Green Burial

JCA Cultural Practices for the Deceased

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Burial Around Tree Roots

Vegetation (Roots): Vegetation helps to stabilize a sandy soil slope by covering the soil, protecting it from the elements such as wind and precipitation, and by stabilizing it with root systems. Root systems form a surface matrix that holds soil in place. The cemetery's sloped area is stabilized with established vegetation. It is recommended that trees that are removed for burial rooms and openings, should be replaced with other vegetation to keep the area stable.

Tap Root System

Surface Root System

A heart root system has large and small roots extending diagonally away from the tree trunk. Trees with this root system at the JCA Cemetery include birch, beech, and maple.

A tap root system has the largest root tapped into the ground like a carrot, holding the tree in place. A tree that has this root system at the JCA Cemetery is oak.

A surface root system has large roots running horizontally just below the soil surface.

Trees that have this root system at the JCA Cemetery are aspen and white pine.

www.forestry.gov.uk

www.forestry.gov.uk

www.forestry.gov.uk

Forest Burial

Heart Root System

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Design 332 S. Deerfield Road, Conway MA 01341 Fall 2012

Drainage: Because of the sandy soil at the cemetery, water is not an issue on the property, including the white pine forest. One white pine with a 25 inch diameter trunk will intercept 2,609 gallons of storm water per year (www. arborday.org). If this white pine is removed that is 2,609 gallons of water that will drain to the water table or to be taken up by other vegetation planted to replace the pine.

The Conway School

Slopes: The white pine forest is located on a gentle slope that starts at 104 feet at its lowest point and rises to 115 feet at its highest point, at a 5% grade.

Although not steep, these slopes when disturbed may develop erosion issues.

221 Leverett Road Shutesbury, MA 01072

Soils: The JCA Cemetery has one soil type on its property, Hinkley sandy loam. Sandy loam drains quickly and excessively. This means that water issues such a flooding or pooling should not be a problem on this site. However, sandy soils can contribute to erosion issues if not stabilized by vegetation.

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urial around tree roots is not easy. Cemeteries that bury around tree roots have to be careful with both the root systems of a tree and with placement of the body. Ceder Brook Green Cemetery in Maine and Mount Auburn Cemetery in Boston offer these recommendations: • Shroud burial is preferred. Caskets are not flexible for burying around root systems.

• Shallow graves that are dug 2.5' to 3' deep versus a 6' deep grave is preferred around root systems.

• Bodies may need to be moved to the right or left to work around a root system, which means fewer bodies can be buried in a forested area than a grass area.

• An excavator may have a difficult time entering a forest and may harm tree roots when excavating by ripping roots apart while digging. It is better to cleanly slice through a root with a circular saw rather than rip with a excavator bucket.

• Trees may need extra care such as watering or adding compost after burial occurs.

• Burial around trees with a tap root system may be easiest because the largest root is central and vertical; however, white pines have surface root systems that are somewhat visible so it may be easier to see where to dig versus a heart root system where large roots grow diagonally from the trunk. Consulting with a forester familiar with root systems before burying in the pine forest is recommended.

Jessica E. Orkin

Access to and around Forested Area: Currently the white pine forest is not easily accessible to pedestrians, and inaccessible to vehicles.

This is one reason recommendations for hand burial are given for this area.

Vehicle access to the white pine forest will require a complex grading plan that may prove to be expensive and resource heavy.

JCA Cemetery

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he JCA Cemetery Committee came to the Conway School inspired by the forested burial section of the Wildwood Cemetery. Forested burial is not uncommon in many cemeteries. Burial starts in an already established forest, the forest grows up around an established burial, or trees are planted along with the buried deceased. To know if an area, like the white pine forest at the JCA Cemetery, is appropriate for forest burial there are factors that need to be explored: soils, slopes, drainage, vegetation (roots), and access to and in the forest.

Analysis

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Forested Burial

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The Conway School

Jessica E. Orkin

Well-drained sandy soil can be an asset for a cemetery, because the soil does not typically have standing water after it rains. However, welldrained sandy soils when moved or excavated will act like most sands and cave or slough into a hole if the sides of the hole being dug are not stable.

Pros & Cons of Hand Dug Graves:

Pros • Excavation with machinery is quick and easy. It takes only one person to do the job.

• When mourners show up for the funeral everything for the funeral is already set up by the excavating company and ready for burial.

• The excavator can dig at any depth.

Cons • Heavy machinery can compact soils.

• Heavy machinery uses gas.

• Potential for heavy machinery to damage the cemetery grounds, gravestones or sites.

Pros • Hand burial can bring people together in a time of sorrow.

• With hand digging people can be more careful when digging graves around trees.

Cons • Hand burial may be difficult in the winter.

• Hand burial around root systems can be difficult.

• It is helpful to have 3-5 people to help dig and depending on time and weather it may be hard to find willing participants with short notice.

Depth of Burial and Decomposition According to a study From the University of Tennessee: “Decomposition of buried bodies and methods that may aid in their location” (Rodriguez and Bass, 1985): Burial at 1 feet After 3 months the body showed extensive decomposition Burial at 2 feet After 6 months the body exhibited little decomposition Burial at 4 feet After 12 months the body showed remarkable preservation

One aspect of Jewish burial tradition is that the body quickly decomposes. The results of this study suggest that the JCA cemetery's practice of burying at a six-foot depth does not result in rapid decomposition.

221 Leverett Road Shutesbury, MA 01072

Pros & Cons of Excavation:

Soil Profile, digging, and Decomposition

Each grave plot at the JCA Cemetery is 5' wide x 10' long x 6' deep.

These dimensions are problematic in sandy soils (see diagram below).

Concerns about collapsing soil is the main reason the JCA cemetery began using concrete grave liners to help stabilize the soil.

In the above image the angle of stabilization is shown for sandy loam. When excavating this kind of soil, the best ratio to avoid soil sloughing is 1:1 or a slope that is 100%. The diagram on the left shows the burial depth that the excavator is digging currently. The soil walls are extremely sharp and the angle is at 260%. The diagram on the right is at a shallow depth of 3' deep at 5' wide, which is closer to the 1:1 ratio with a 120% angle. The 1:1 ratio for perfect digging without sloughing would be a 2.5'deep grave at 5' wide. To dig graves at 6', the width would have to be 12'. The length is not as important as the width and depth of the grave being dug.

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Design 332 S. Deerfield Road, Conway MA 01341 Fall 2012

he JCA recently held a panel discussion about death and dying that was well attended by the community. The panel discussed returning to traditions of earlier generations, where death was a family and community affair.

The option of hand burial is another aspect of that return, bringing together family and community for the mitzvah of digging a grave for the deceased.

JCA Cemetery

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he entire JCA Cemetery property is Hinkley sandy loam which is a well to excessively drained soil that can border on droughty in the dry months. The presence of the gravel mine west of the cemetery (see aerial photo on sheet 1) indicates a deep water table in this area.

The soil is also acidic, which does not affect burial but does affect the vegetation that occurs on the property.

Excavator VS. Hand Digging

Analysis

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Sandy Loam

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Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Design 332 S. Deerfield Road, Conway MA 01341 Fall 2012

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ach alternative design that follows has these common elements that support an environmentally friendly, attractive, peaceful cemetery with a diversity of grave site environments, consistent with Jewish burial traditions.

The Conway School

Paths that meander Created through the established woods (wood-chipped path at 5% grade) or created by mowing low meadows, the paths draw visitors to explore the cemetery property.

Meditation and contemplation areas Scalloping the forested edge will create areas throughout the cemetery that can be used for burial rooms, and as spaces for meditation and contemplation with benches placed strategically looking out onto the cemetery landscape.

A woodland trail through the white pine forest. The understory is planted with small shade-loving trees and shrubs along the trail to add greenery and diversity to the forested burial area throughout the seasons.

Burial alcoves cut out of the forest edge leave a scalloped edge for an open view of the cemetery landscape. Low to tall plantings lead one's eyes into the forest where small flowering trees add privacy from neighboring houses and beauty to the understory of large deciduous giants.

221 Leverett Road Shutesbury, MA 01072

Current burial area with low meadow & young tree and shrub plantings that will grow into an established woodland.

Introduction

Woodland Burial To meet a key project goal, each design has woodland burial.

Gravesites appear within existing mature woods, or young trees are planted as bodies are buried, creating a forest over time.

Forested hand-dug shroud burial with understory plantings of small flowering trees and shrubs are enjoyed as visitors take a walk on the woodland burial trail.

JCA Cemetery

Burial Rooms These burial rooms are created with vegetation. Burial rooms offer a few different options for final resting places within the cemetery landscape. In a burial room everyone is buried with a specific shrub or small tree to create a themed vegetated room for burial.

Jessica E. Orkin

Current burial area This area located to the southwest of the property stays close to the original design in each alternative. Plots were purchased with the current burial design in mind. With respect for that choice the current burial space will remain close to the cemetery's original design.

Final Design

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Common Elements in Alternative Designs

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Fence is extended 25’ on the west Side

Stone paver entrance

Current burial Area

Burial room

Fence is extended 50’on the east side

Fence is extended 6’ on the south side

White pine burial and hardwood forest burial

0'

20' 40'

Cons: • The fence continues to create a barrier which could still make the property feel like two parts instead of one whole.

• Snow removal, mowing, forestry and burial work for the excavator is still required.

• With fence extension, burial is now closer to the property edge which is also closer to residential neighbors to the east and west and the elementary school parking lot to the south.

New Beginnings

Future burial Area

The Conway School

Mowed path to community gathering area

221 Leverett Road Shutesbury, MA 01072

Driveway allée

Jessica E. Orkin

Pros: • Existing access and parking remains the same.

Keeping the existing driveway saves money and causes less disturbance to the landscape.

• Space for burial extends into the forested area (and beyond), which creates the potential for burial to continue in this cemetery for generations.

• The entrance tree allée creates a transition from the busy road. Tree species are long-lived hardwoods suited to dry acidic soils, such as black cherry or red maple.

• Benches around the cemetery property invite contemplation and meditation.

• The low meadow requires less mowing and maintenance than a lawn that is mown on a weekly to monthly basis. A low meadow may need to be mowed one to two times a season.

• The forest edge creates alcoves for rest and enjoyment.

• The lawn island in the northern portion has a mowed path that leads to the glacial erratic. The simple additions of flowering shrubs and benches creates an area for community gatherings or ceremonies.

• The fence in this design is extended out on all sides which allows for more burial to be included in the sacred space.

• All burial options discussed in earlier pages can occur in this design.

JCA Cemetery

Driveway/Parking

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urial extends into the white pine forest and potentially into the northeast section of the property, shown here cleared of existing forest and replaced with a low meadow. Benches and flowering shrubs make it more welcoming until it is ready to be used for burial. An allée of trees along the drive creates a tunnel effect of branches that change with seasonality, adding beauty and mystery as one enters. The current burial and entrance island is no longer a mowed lawn but has been cultivated as a short low-maintenance meadow with a mowed path that adds beauty.

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Design 332 S. Deerfield Road, Conway MA 01341 Fall 2012

Pros & Cons

Alternative Design I:

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

New Beginnings

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Stone paved entrance into cemetery

Cons: • Building a new parking lot will require money and time.

• Maintenance will coninue, including snow removal, mowing the current burial area, maintaining trails through the low meadow, and forestry.

Burial alcove

Current burial Area

Burial room

Forested Ceremony Room

0'

20' 40'

Buried Landscape

Burial alcove

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Design 332 S. Deerfield Road, Conway MA 01341 Fall 2012

15 Parking spaces

The Conway School

Fence extended to all 4 sides of property.

221 Leverett Road Shutesbury, MA 01072

Driveway entrance

Jessica E. Orkin

n this design, burial takes place in the current burial area, the white pine forest, and the northeast and northwest forested areas. A new parking area has fifteen parking spaces, which is the same amount of parking spots as the former U-shaped drive. However, the spaces are clearly delineated, reducing confusion.

Solar-powered motion detecting lights discourage unwanted night time visitors.

Pros: • Parking is organized and ADA accessible. The convenience of the original U-shaped drive is retained. A hearse can drive to the stone paved entrance area to bring the casket for the pall bearers to carry to its burial area.

• The fence is pushed to the boundary of the property, creating a unified whole. Now visitors enter into the sacred area as soon as they turn off Leverett Road.

• Burial occurs throughout the entire cemetery (including the white pine forest) which corresponds with the clients’ goals and allows for burial for generations to come.

• With the fence moved to the outside of the property and with a delineated parking lot, teens may feel less inclined to loiter at night.

• The amount of unused space is reduced with the removal of the driveway island.

• Trees spread over the landscape create an open woodland feel.

• All burial options discussed in earlier pages occur in this design.

JCA Cemetery

I

Pros & Cons

Alternative Design II:

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Buried Landscape

11/17

Shed for hand burial tools

Current burial area

Cons: • Maintenance will continue with snow removal, mowing the current burial area, maintaining trails through the low meadow, and forestry.

• Building a new parking will require money and time.

• With the fence removed, the cemetery may seem less sacred.

Stone paver entrance area

Burial alcove

Fence is no longer part of the property

White pine plantation work a area

0'

20' 40'

Cradle to Grave

Parking for 8

The Conway School

Access to white pine plantation (formally U-shaped drive east entrance)

221 Leverett Road Shutesbury, MA 01072

Entrance to parking

Pros: • Parking has space for 8 cars, is ADA accessible, and still has a circular drive for the hearse to maneuver easily and for the car procession to move through after the burial.

• Burial is extended throughout the cemetery, which allows for burial for generations to come and for more options for those purchasing burial plots.

• A portion of the white pine forest is used for harvesting wood for caskets, reducing the use of outside resources.

• Trees planted at burial create a managed woodland landscape in time.

• The access road created from the east entrance of the U-shaped drive creates easy access for the maintenance crew.

Jessica E. Orkin

he parking lot takes up less of the landscape. The parking lot has eight spaces for cars; one is an ADA accessible spot. Burial takes place throughout the cemetery property in the current burial area, the white pine forest, and a larger portion of the northeast side of the property. The fence is removed in this design to open up the landscape completely without any boundaries. The addition of a shed to hold tools is included to support hand burial throughout the cemetery. The white pine plantation work area is cleared sustainably by a forester and the wood can then be used for local carpenters to craft into coffins for the deceased in the community. The name Cradle to Grave reflects the idea that the casket that holds the deceased is a cradle that is produced by and in the cemetery for burial.

JCA Cemetery

T

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Design 332 S. Deerfield Road, Conway MA 01341 Fall 2012

Pros & Cons

Alternative Design III:

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Cradle to Grave

12/17

❶

❹

❸

❺

❼ ❾

❽ ❿

0'

The Conway School

❷

The fence is extended on all four sides. The fence is brought to 22' from the road edge, which is the required distance for the town of Shutesbury. The fence is extended to the east 50' from its original placement, 6' to the south and 25' to the west. ❷ Cemetery Driveway / Parking The current driveway/parking design is retained. ❸ Entrance Allée An allée of trees creates a beautiful tunnel effect. The trees have appeal in all seasons, flowering in the spring, lush in the summer, vibrant in the fall, and stark in the winter. ❹ Meditation Path The mowed meditation path takes you to the glacial erratic that is now centered in a circular stone patio with a arced stone bench. This area can be used for community gatherings or for ceremonies. ❺ Procession to the Cemetery What was lawn to the cemetery gates is now a stone paved gathering area for the funeral procession to convene. This gathering space is designed for the survivors to carry the deceased through the gates into the burial grounds. The processional space is symbolic. Burial is everywhere on the property, but the walk through the gates is still symbolic of entering the sacred, carrying the deceased to their final rest. ❻ Current Burial Area The current burial area, where plots have already been purchased, remains the same. ❼ Zion Circle Zion Circle has been expanded to move around the property.

It remains a mown burial-free zone for the excavator and the hearse to have access to the site. ❽ Burial Alcove / Room Burial alcoves or rooms are spaced along the forested edges around the cemetery. Small to medium trees and shrubs are planted with the deceased during funerals. ❾ Forest Infinity Trail The forest trail meanders through the white pine forest. The more southern circle of the figure eight is thinned of large trees, which opens up the canopy and is replanted with flowering trees and shrubs. ❿ White Pine Plantation The space here in the forest canopy is a potential future work area for the white pine plantation where pine could be harvested and caskets built from wood that is grown on the cemetery grounds.

Jessica E. Orkin

Leve rett R oad

Extension

221 Leverett Road Shutesbury, MA 01072

❻

❶ Fence

JCA Cemetery

he final design creates a sustainable cemetery landscape. This is accomplished by using local resources such as the white pine plantation for caskets. Fewer permanent resources remain in the ground because concrete grave liners are rarely used. Instead, more biodegradable plain pine caskets and shrouds are vessels for burial. Hand burial engages the community. Less fuel is consumed to mow the meadow only twice per season. Burial occurs throughout the cemetery, from the white pine forest to the forested areas of the northeast and northwest. Burial rooms on the cemetery perimeter and within the forested areas have benches tucked away here and there for resting and contemplation. The curving driveway serves as a transition from the road. The trees that line it create a tunnel of branches that change with the seasons. Visitors park and walk through the entrance area, surrounded by small trees and flowering shrubs. From a bench in a burial room a low meadow is visible through the birch trees.

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Design 332 S. Deerfield Road, Conway MA 01341 Fall 2012

T

Final Design

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

For Generations to Come...

20' 40'

13/17

Plants include large trees, small trees, and shrubs chosen for their ability to grow well in the JCA Cemetery conditions: zone 5, mostly shady, with sandy, acidic soil. These plants display seasonal interest throughout the year and are easy to maintain.

Hop Hornbeam

Ostrya

virginiana

Carolina Silverbell

Halesia

tetraptera

Sassafras

Sassafras

albidium

Black Cherry

Prunus

serotina

Paper Birch

Betula

papyrifera

Red Maple

Acer

rubrum

River Birch

Betula

nigra

Tulip Tree

Liriodendron

tulipifera

Cucumber Magnolia

Magnolia

acuminata

Northern Red Oak

Quercus

rubra

Striped Maple

Acer

pensylvanicum

Small Trees (Shade and Dry) Downy Serviceberry

Amelanchier

arborea

Allegheny Serviceberry

Amelanchier

laevis

American Smoketree

Cotinus

obovatus

Flowering Dogwood

Cornus

florida

Sargent Crabapple

Malus

sargentii

Pekin Lilac

Syringa

pekinensis

Redbud

Cercis

canadensis

Sourwood

Oxydendrum

arboreum

Pagoda Dogwood

Cornus

alternifolia

American Hazelnut

Corylus

americana

Beaked Hazelnut

Corylus

cornuta

Alabama Croton

Croton

alabamensis

Black Huckleberry

Gaylussacia

baccata

Wild Hydrangea

Hydrangea

arborescens

Sheep Laurel

Kalmia

angustifolia

Mountain Laurel

Kalmia

latifolia

Coast leucothoc

Leucothoe

axillaris

Dog-Hobble

Leucothoe

racemosa

Northern Bayberry

Myrica

pensylvanica

Rosebay Rhododendron

Rhododendron

maximum

Carolina Rhododendron

Rhododendron

minus

Ninebark

Physocarpus

opulifolius

Witchhazel

Hamamelis

virginiana

Mapleleaf Viburnum

Viburnum

acerifolium

Shrubs (Shade and Dry)

0'

20' 40'

The Conway School

rubrum

221 Leverett Road Shutesbury, MA 01072

lenta

Acer

Jessica E. Orkin

Betula

Red Maple

JCA Cemetery

Black Birch

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Design 332 S. Deerfield Road, Conway MA 01341 Fall 2012

Common Name Botanical name: Genus Botanical name: Species Large Trees (Shade and Dry)

Plant Palette

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Through the Seasons...

14/17

221 Leverett Road Shutesbury, MA 01072

JCA Cemetery

The Conway School

Jessica E. Orkin

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Design 332 S. Deerfield Road, Conway MA 01341 Fall 2012

JCA Cemetery Meditation Path and Ceremony Space

Stone pavers for entrance.

Curved stone bench.

Stone wall with bench.

Stone patio with central focus and stone wall for seating.

Flowering trees enhance entrance.

Permeable tree pit.

Simple stone arced bench.

Mowed low meadow path.

Materials & Precidents

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

JCA Cemetery Funeral Procession Entrance

15/17

Allée in the spring.

Allée in the fall.

Allée in the summer.

Forested path with rhododendron.

Trail through white pine.

Allée in the winter.

Tall pine tower over trail.

Sun dappled forest trail.

Materials & Precedents

221 Leverett Road Shutesbury, MA 01072

JCA Cemetery

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Design 332 S. Deerfield Road, Conway MA 01341 Fall 2012

The Conway School

Jessica E. Orkin

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Driveway allée is seasonally beautiful Infinity woodland burial trail is a peaceful walk

16/17

221 Leverett Road Shutesbury, MA 01072

JCA Cemetery

The Conway School

Jessica E. Orkin

Graduate Program in Sustainable Landscape Design 332 S. Deerfield Road, Conway MA 01341 Fall 2012

Mowed trails meander through low meadow burial

Bench under small trees.

Bench tucked into shrubs.

Bench surrounded by blooming annuals.

Bench under tall deciduous trees.

Low meadow burial in Washington.

Low meadow burial in the United Kingdom.

Low meadow burial in Texas.

Low meadow burial in Maine.

Materials & Precedents

Not for construction. This drawing is part of a student project and not based on a legal survey.

Burial Rooms have benches for rest and contemplation

17/17