Mourning Cloak Conservation Burial, a nonprofit aiming to establish a conservation burial ground in Washington County, will host a free screening of the PBS documentary Bury Me at Taylor Hollow on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 2 p.m. The event will take place at the Fayetteville Public Library.
The film follows John Christian Phifer, co-founder of Larkspur Conservation in Tennessee, as he works to create one of the nation’s first conservation burial grounds. Phifer, a mortician by training, will join the screening for a discussion afterward to share insights from his experience operating the site near Nashville.
Conservation burial grounds offer an alternative to traditional cemeteries by combining eco-friendly burial practices with land preservation. Instead of concrete vaults and embalming chemicals, these sites focus on natural decomposition and protecting the surrounding environment. Phifer’s work at Taylor Hollow has helped pioneer this movement nationwide.
Mourning Cloak Conservation Burial is bringing this conversation to Northwest Arkansas at a time when more people are considering environmentally conscious end-of-life options. Establishing a similar site in Washington County would create protected green space while providing families with a natural burial alternative that costs significantly less than conventional options in cities like Little Rock or Tulsa.
Though conservation burial grounds remain rare, their presence is growing quickly as communities across the country seek ways to reduce environmental impact even in death. Phifer’s visit offers a unique opportunity for Fayetteville residents to learn more about how this approach blends cultural respect with ecological stewardship.
The Fayetteville Public Library screening allows free public access to a film that has so far primarily been shown at environmental film festivals and select public television broadcasts. Moving beyond theory, the discussion with Phifer will include practical takeaways for those interested in supporting or participating in a conservation burial ground in the region.
Unlike traditional funeral homes and cemeteries, which can be costly and land-intensive, conservation burial grounds use biologically friendly practices that fit well with the rural and wooded landscapes of Northwest Arkansas. Mourning Cloak, still in its planning stages, envisions a space that integrates native plant restoration, wildlife habitat preservation, and community involvement.
Events like this screening show that NWA residents are engaging with innovative ideas around land use and mortality—a topic often avoided but deeply relevant here where nature plays such a central role in daily life. Getting John Christian Phifer to Fayetteville links local efforts to a nationwide movement demonstrating respect for both people and place.
For context, traditional burials or cremations in many metropolitan areas can cost families thousands of dollars and often consume developed land, a growing concern as urban areas expand. This conservation model prioritizes reinvesting land into natural ecosystems, offering an affordable, sustainable option grounded in local ecology.
While plans for the Washington County burial ground remain in development, Mourning Cloak Conservation Burial’s film screening marks a concrete step toward educating the community and rallying support. It’s a moment packed with potential, especially for those who value environmental responsibility alongside personal legacy.
Mark your calendars for Sunday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. to catch the film and hear directly from a founder who helped shape one of America’s first sites dedicated to conservation burial. This is as much about honoring life as it is about protecting the land for those who come after.
Source: Fayetteville Flyer
