Penn Forest Natural Burial Park Offers Alternative for Area Residents

Almost four years ago, Pete McQuillin of the North Side of Pittsburgh found himself out of work.

He had read an article in a local newspaper years earlier about the green burial process and was intrigued. At the time, the closest facility was in New York. 

"I thought, 'Someone should open a green cemetery in Pittsburgh,'" McQuillin, 67, said. "My wife, Nancy, said, 'Well, why don't you do it?'

"We've been doing it ever since."

Penn Forest Natural Burial Park on Colorado Street in Penn Hills opened this June. The 30-acre site borders parts of Verona and Oakmont.

The mission of green burial is to provide an ecologically friendly alternative to conventional burial. Green (or natural) burial supports the earth’s ecosystem offering an alternative to conventional burial methods.

Through the green process, embalming bodies with toxic chemicals for preservation is not allowed, people are buried in the woods or natural meadow in a biodegradable container and there aren't any headstones—engraved rocks are used in place of them.

People now can buy burial plots at the burial park. 

Pittsburgh resident Maria Allewelt's husband, Gil, was the first person to be buried at Penn Forest in August. He is the only one at the moment.

Allewelt said she and her husband learned about green burials 10 years ago. after researching the subject, they realized it was the route they wanted to proceed in.

Several years later, Gil fell ill and began researching alternatives in Pittsburgh when he came across Penn Forest. Allewelt said the green burial offers dignity, simplicity and eternity.

"The traditional way felt disengaged with the family," Allewelt said. "Someone else is in charge of everything. It just felt so unnatural.

"We went into this with a faith-based view. Death is not the end for us."

Gil was involved in the process 100 percent, Allewelt said, and a nephew made his natural coffin and decorated it with sunflowers.

"Gil was at peace," Allewelt said. "It wasn't scary for him at all. It was a wonderful experience for us."

Allewelt said she would encourage people to look into alternative burial options.

"Everyone knows about the traditional way, but people don't often hear there are other ways to go," she said. "Hopefully, this can open the minds and hearts of others. I think one of the things that keeps people from learning about it is that they don't know what to expect."

McQuillin agreed.

"This concept really seems to be resonating with the baby boomers," he said. "People are starting to find out about us, and it's been taking off. We're selling lots left and right.

"I love every minute of it. Who would have thought burying people would be fun?"

McQuillin has dedicated 10 acres of the land for wildlife preservation. He said he hopesthe land can preserve the native plants and animals. A restoration committee has been working on plans for the site.

McQuillin also has a 100-year plan for the entire site—a pet cemetery is being considered. A house located on the property eventually will be turned into a chapel for those visiting the cemetery.

"This is the last project of my life," he said. "This is the way I want to leave the world. I want to leave a legacy." 

More information about Penn Forest Natural Burial Park can be found atwww.pennforestcemetery.com or www.facebook.com/PennForest. McQuillin can be reached at 412-265-4606 or pete@pennforestcemetery.com.

This story originally appeared on Plum-Oakmont Patch.