journey of the body

In Georgia, the process of a natural burial, working with a death doula or midwife, involves several steps:

  1. At the Time of Death:

    • Death Declaration and Documentation: A healthcare professional or family member confirms the death. The family, with assistance from a death doula, must obtain a death certificate. In Georgia, the death certificate must be filed within 72 hours of the death​​.

  2. Body Care and Preparation:

    • No Embalming: Embalming is not practiced in natural burials. The body can be kept cool using noninvasive methods such as dry ice or refrigeration for up to three days​​.

    • Washing and Dressing: The family, possibly with guidance from a death doula, washes and dresses the body, often in biodegradable materials.

  3. Casket and Burial Requirements:

    • Casket or Shroud: Georgia law requires a “rigid, combustible container” for burial. This can include a simple pine coffin, a burial shroud, or a basket. The choice can reflect religious, financial, or environmental considerations​​ that your death doula can help guide you through.

  4. Funeral and Burial Arrangements:

    • Flexibility in Location: The funeral or burial service can be held at home, in a nursing home, or at a church, emphasizing minimal and environmentally friendly body care​​.

    • Personalization and Involvement: Home funerals offer more personalization and family involvement, allowing for individual or small group participation in the vigil or ceremony​​.

  5. Legal and Logistical Aspects:

    • Filing Paperwork: The family or death doula must file the death certificate and obtain necessary transport and burial permits​​.

    • Transportation: The body can be transported by the family or a designated person to the burial site in a dignified manner. This may require coordination and planning, potentially with guidance from a death doula​​.

    • Final Disposition: This includes digging the grave in a natural burial ground. The burial area should adhere to local regulations regarding private burials​​​​.

  6. After the Burial:

    • Community Support: Assistance from Just Love Forest Stewards and volunteers might be available for various tasks. A death doula can also offer support and connect the family to resources​​.