Funeral Service and Natural Burial in the Forest – Only to Rest, to Love, Does the Soul Feel Driven!
In an hour of silence and farewell, where the leaves of the forest raise a gentle whisper and the sun filters through the branches, I accompany you as a freelance funeral speaker with an open heart and reverent mindfulness. The words "Only to rest, to love, does the soul feel driven" – a poetic call from the depths of Romanticism, capturing the soul's longing for peace and connection – become the guiding star of a natural burial in the forest. As Master Reding, shaped by the clarity of Zen and the wisdom of Christian mysticism, I design funeral services that breathe dignity, symbolic power, and love. They become rituals that offer comfort, build bridges between heaven and earth, and honor the deceased in gratitude.
The Essence of Natural Burial in Switzerland's Forests
The natural burial in the forest, an alternative form of burial increasingly chosen in Switzerland, allows the farewell to take place in the embrace of creation. Here, amidst ancient trees and moss-covered paths, the soul finds rest – a place where life and death symbolically merge. In Switzerland, where forests like those in the Alpine regions around Lucerne or the Appenzell woods become sacred spaces, services such as the forest burial from "Die Letzte Ruhe" or the "Swiss Natural Burial" enable a respectful interment. The ashes of the loved one are entrusted to the root system of the trees or the gentle wind, an act of transformation that recalls the Christian resurrection: Born from the earth, humanity returns to the earth, yet love remains eternal.
Blending Zen Clarity with Christian Spiritual Depth
My ceremonies combine the meditative silence of Zen with the spiritual depth of Christian values, open to all faiths. Imagine: The funeral service begins with a circle of relatives under the canopy of leaves, where we breathe together and feel the presence of the deceased. A mystical ritual might initiate the scattering of the ashes – accompanied by incense rising like a prayer, symbolic of letting go and rebirth, similar to the phoenix motif. Words from the Bible, such as "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4), weave in with Zen-like moments of mindfulness, perhaps a silent walk through the forest, where each step transforms grief into gratitude.
Personalized Sequence and Rituals for a Meaningful Farewell
The sequence of such a burial is flexible and personal: After cremation, we jointly select the forest site – be it a quiet clearing in the Swiss mountains or a protected grove by the lakeshore. The ceremony might open with a prayer or meditation, followed by stories from the life of the deceased that reflect their love for nature. Rituals like scattering flower petals or lighting a candle in a tree stump add mystical elements: They symbolize the transience of the body and the immortality of the soul, which is "only to rest, to love" driven. Music, gentle sounds of a flute or harp, underscores the moment when the ashes are entrusted to the earth – an act of devotion that finds comfort in the connection with creation.
Alternative Interment: A Heart-to-Heart Experience in Nature
In this alternative form of interment, far from traditional cemeteries, the funeral service becomes a conscious, unforgettable experience from heart to heart. Whether for Christians who sense God's presence in nature, or for seekers of all traditions – I interweave symbols like the cross with the circle of life to touch every mourner in their language of faith. The Swiss landscape, with its forests and alpine meadows, offers ideal locations for this, such as the Oasis of Eternity in the Alps or specialized forests for natural burials.
Let us together create a funeral service that honors the deceased and brings you comfort. As a freelance funeral speaker in Switzerland, I stand by you to build this bridge. Contact me – in gratitude and mindfulness.