Oct. 10: Vermont Forest Cemetery marks three years since opening

September 22, 2026  |  By Waterbury Roundabout

Vermont Forest Cemetery marks three years since opening in Roxbury. Courtesy photo

The Vermont Forest Cemetery, the state’s first and only cemetery fully dedicated to natural burials, celebrates its third anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 10.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the cemetery, located at 750 Beaver Meadow Road in Roxbury. Activities for the day include tours, music, poetry, naturalism workshops, community art, and opportunities to meet and talk with death care vendors from across the state.

The event schedule is:

10-11 a.m.: Naturalism workshop led by Dirt Camp director and cemeterian Bailey McLaughlin. Learn about animal tracking and the natural communities of the forest.

11 a.m.-noon: Poetry readings in the forest labyrinth with Carlene Kucharczyk, winner of the Vermont Book Award, for her poetry collection “Strange Hymn.”

Noon-1:30 p.m.: Musical by guitarist and vocalist Zach Nugent.

2-4 p.m.: Founders Tour with Michelle Hogle Acciavatti. Meet founder and head cemeterian Michelle Hogle Acciavatti for a two-hour tour focusing on the stories of the forest and the vision for the cemetery.

Throughout the day, attendees can visit artist Carla Kimball's latest art installation and participate in a community art project. There also will be opportunity to meet vendors including weaver Mary Lauren Fraser, Journey with Compassion, Camp Knock Knock, Grief Space, Mourning Cloak by Black Cat Atelier, Green Mountain Burial Shrouds, Daniel Chaffee backboards and more.

Find more information and register for the event online here.