Circle CemeteryOne of America's First Green Cemeteries Circle Cemetery, established in 1995, is one of the first Green cemeteries to be established in the United States and the first Green cemetery to be established on a Nature Preserve in Wisconsin. As with other Green cemeteries, Circle Cemetery combines preservation of Green space with burial of cremains and non-embalmed bodies. Located just north of Barneveld, Wisconsin, Circle Cemetery is 20 acres in size and includes woodlands, a restored prairie, and a forested ridgetop. The cemetery is part of the 200-acre Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve, owned and operated since 1983 by Circle Sanctuary. Circle Cemetery is the final resting place for remains of Pagan practitioners of a variety of forms of Nature religion, plus those of other faiths and philosophies that honor Nature in a sacred way. The Cemetery is operated by Circle Sanctuary, an international non-profit Nature Spirituality resource center and church. Recumbent granite markers with names, dates, and memorial messages are options for marking gravesites in some of the wooded areas of the cemetery. For natural burials, a body needs to be unembalmed and in a shroud, pine box, wicker casket, or other biodegradable container. Cremains can be scattered or interred in the woodlands of the cemetery, and can be scattered in the restored prairie.
Circle Cemetery has several outdoor areas for memorial services and funerals, including a microlithic Stone Circle in an Oak grove atop a naturally occurring mound. Circle Cemetery is open to visitors at a variety of events throughout the year, the second Saturday of the month May - October, and at other times by advance arrangement. (see below) For more information and to make arrangements for cremains placement, body burials, and memorial markers, please contact: Selena Fox, Circle Cemetery Director |
Open visiting hours for the cemetery Second Saturday of every month from 10am – 2pm only from May through October Please email circle@circlesanctuary.org to let us know you are planning to visit. Please abide by the following guidelines to ensure a respectful and meaningful experience for all visitors in this sacred space: 1. Leave pets at home. We only allow service animals, not emotional support animals.2. Upon arrival park in the upper parking lot behind the red barn – do not drive yourself up to the cemetery! 3. If you are not greeted by a volunteer, please go to the red barn to locate volunteer. 4. Volunteer will direct you to walking to the cemetery or give ride assist if necessary. 5. Be mindful of other guests and maintain a respectful distance. 6. Stay quiet and avoid loud conversations or disruptive behavior. 7. Keep your phone on silent. 8. Leave flowers or other biodegradable tokens of affection. No balloons or non-biodegradable items please in our green cemetery. 9. This visiting time is for only visiting the cemetery and not the entire 200 acres of Circle Sanctuary land. 10. Supervise children while visiting the cemetery. 11. Do not litter or leave food items behind. All trash must removed with you. 12. Consider bringing a blanket or small chair, tissues, and a journal for reflection. 13. Strict adherence to 10am arrival and 2pm departure time is required. By adhering to these guidelines, you can help maintain the peace and dignity of this sacred space for all who are visiting. |