A moving green burial for our beloved Dürten

Many who have lived or visited the Park over the last 30 years will have known Dürten Lau, who died here in Findhorn on 15 April 2024 after an illness.

Dürten was a much-loved community member who held multiple leading roles in her decades here, including most recently as Listener Convener of the New Findhorn Association (NFA), the community’s longest established governing body.

Even more than her official roles, her wisdom and ability to approach everything from a place of love made her a leader. The immense love that she generated was reflected in the hundreds who attended her funeral in our green burial ground, and the sharing in the Universal Hall afterwards, both in person and on Zoom from around the world.

This community is unusual among ecovillages in that it has a green burial ground, in a clearing in the woods. Although most graves are unmarked, each ‘lair’ includes a chip so that someone’s final resting place can always be located. The Findhorn Hinterland Trust, which manages the woods and burial ground, has a duty of care and responsibility for 100 years after the last burial. Anyone may be buried here.

Community member Sara Trevelyan described the funeral like this:

‘Dürten was a pillar of our community. This was expressed by the numbers who gathered on Sunday morning to accompany her final passage through the Park. Her body, wrapped in a colourful shroud, covered in greenery and flowers, was borne on a trailer, driven forward by a slow-moving tractor, with her family and closest friends leading the procession and her very large tribe of rainbow-coloured community members following. We walked in silence accompanied by a steady drum beat, which brought great dignity to the proceedings. In this way we honoured ‘Dürten, accompanying her on her final journey to the green burial ground. 

‘This dedicated piece of land, created some years ago by two long standing community members who saw a need for it, has provided a place where burials can take place in a natural way. It’s a sacred place of memories held in the quiet stillness of nature.

‘We were invited to lay green branches to provide a natural bed for her to rest on. After her body was gently lowered those of us who had brought them were invited to offer flowers…and as the flowers kept coming she was covered in beauty, symbolic of the essence she brought with her into this life.’

Go with blessings, Dürten.

For tributes to Dürten Lau and a video from Mark Richards, visit Celebrating One Incredible Family For more on the green burial ground, visit Findhorn Hinterland Trust. 

With thanks to Laura Shreenen and Jonathan Caddy for the images.