business spotlight

Kings Mountain Preserve with Robertson Funeral & Cremation Service

by Randy Kambic

Providing green burials for the greater Charlotte region, Kings Mountain Preserve with Robertson Funeral & Cremation Service, conveniently located just 20 minutes from Kings Mountain State Park, is the first conservation burial and funeral home combination on the East Coast and is widely regarded as the most beautiful cemetery offering the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective means of burial in the area.

Prior to its opening in October 2020 as an alternative to traditional ceremonies in the area, the nearest conservation burial ground was two hours away.

Terry Robertson, owner of Robertson Funeral & Cremation Service, a funeral home in Charlotte; Kings Mountain Preserve; and Celebrating Lifes Memories, a business dedicated to organizing and sharing pre-arrangements with family members, has been in the death care industry for nearly 30 years and has been involved in nearly all aspects of funeral service.

“My story began 20 years ago, when I was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma of the neck,” says Robertson. “The Chief of Head and Neck Surgery at M.D. Anderson gave me a 30 percent chance to live another five years. He surmised that my cancer was due to my exposure to formaldehyde, a carcinogen found in the chemicals used for embalming. At the time, I owned a business which provided embalming services to various funeral homes. I nearly died during treatment but was lucky enough to live. This near-death experience changed my life and my view on traditional practices and offerings to families. Twenty years later, I am proud to offer a natural alternative to the traditional offering in the Charlotte region.”

Products and services offered at Kings Mountain Preserve, with Marty Layden serving as director, include green burials (bodies which have been embalmed, metal caskets or vaults are not accepted); burial of cremains in various sections where ferns, wildflowers and trees literally grow out of the cremains; pet burials; outdoor services in their 1,600-squarefoot pavilion; receptions in their pavilion Cabin and Retreat Center, the latter which includes outdoor cooking area, meditation chapel, accommodations for six overnight guests, picnic area with fire pit, picnic tables, horse shoe pits, corn hole and swings; miles of hiking trails; and a venue for conferences.

Due to their combined services, they can serve a family from the moment of their loved one’s passing until the conclusion of the burial and service. While green burial grounds are prevalent on the West Coast, many people on the East Coast may have never heard about green burials.

They completed their picnic area last month which will be a great addition for their clients. They also offer weekly Lunch & Learn events at Charlotte-area Earth Fare locations and the Trio Restaurant in Pineville.

Location: 321 Indian Springs Rd. Blacksburg, S.C. For more information including a Lunch & Learn schedule, to register (requested) for events or to make an appointment, call 877-375-2495, email info@KingsMountainPreserve.com or visit www.KingsMountainPreserve.com. See also www.THRobertson.com and www.CelebrationgLifesMemories.com.