My husband and I have always cherished our home in Newaygo, MI. We've lived here, loved here, and we wish to rest here - not just in any way, but in a manner that respects and protects the land we hold dear. Brooks Township’s recent cemetery ban targeting the West Michigan Burial Forest has disrupted our plans for natural burial in a forest. I urge you to explore the Burial Forest’s website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We want this type of burial for ourselves, but we are also moved by the desire of hundreds of individuals who have expressed their wish to be interred in the Burial Forest by joining the waitlist for a plot. Among them are people battling terminal illnesses who do not have the luxury of time for an extended legal battle between property owners and the Township. 

Our common desire is to return naturally to the earth after death, without the need for embalming, metal caskets, or cement vaults, and without leaving behind acres of manicured grass that require mowing, fertilizers, and pesticides for upkeep. We also love the aesthetic of visiting a loved one's final resting place in a beautiful forest.

In response to their ban on all cemeteries, the Institute for Justice (IJ) filed a lawsuit against Brooks Township on behalf of the Quakenbushes. It challenges the Cemetery Ban as unconstitutional. Details about the case can be found here. You can also watch this video to see footage of the property and learn more about the lawsuit. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Support for the proposed Burial Forest also supports our local economy: Our funeral directors will need to be involved in the burial, and family and friends will utilize our businesses to eat, shop, and sleep. A Burial Forest will contribute positively to environmental conservation and aligns with our community values that regard our Newaygo County beauty as priceless.

We urge Brooks Township officials to reconsider their stance on this matter. We request that they repeal the Cemetery Ban and grant a Special Use Permit to the Burial Forest, allowing residents not only to honor personal wishes but also to contribute meaningfully towards environmental sustainability. 

Please sign this petition if you support our cause.

This petition will be presented to the Brooks Township Planning Commission at their Public Hearing regarding the Cemetery Ordinance on Monday, February 19, 2024, at 7pm at the Brooks Township offices at 490 Quarterline Rd, Newaygo, MI 49337. Public attendance and public comments are welcome at the meeting.

Enjoy these images of the proposed Burial Forest site from all seasons:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Information:

There have been a number of concerns voiced by neighbors and those who implemented the cemetery ban, which are addressed here:  

• The new Cemetery Ordinance states that the ban is “essential for the health, safety, and welfare of Brooks Township property owners, residents, and visitors.” There are no legitimate issues with any of these concerns.
• The District Health Department 10 (DHD10) has confirmed that this initiative poses no risk of water well contamination.
• The Burial Forest will be governed by land conservancy contract oversight, ensuring that Brooks Township will never bear responsibility for its maintenance.
• Some neighbors have shown concern over street parking blocking their road. Sufficient off-street parking is in the site plan, and the property owners can cap the number of vehicles allowed at a given burial by offering off-site parking and a shuttle service.
• All operations within the Burial Forest will adhere strictly to Michigan Cemetery Laws regarding burial requirements under a funeral director’s service.