Growth and Grief - A glimpse into past, present, and future connections between plants & loved ones

Name: Growth and Grief - A glimpse into past, present, and future connections between plants & loved ones
Start: 2025-09-20T10:00:00-05:00
Location: 870 S. Pilot Knob Road

Schedule

Sat, 20 Sep, 2025 at 10:00 am

UTC-05:00

Location

870 S. Pilot Knob Road | Galena, IL

Join Andra Olney-Larson (Casper Creek Natural Cemetery) for an interactive, historical, and healing journey through the uses and significance of specific plant species and their connections to honoring the dead across time, across the globe, and in one’s own backyard.
This one-hour presentation will include the use of herbs in ancient Greece and Egypt, Victorian flower language, global floral elements, and bringing focus to the restored prairie of the Driftless region to learn more of the elements of native plants and their prevalence in tradition. Participants are encouraged to create and acknowledge their own special connections to people and plants in harmony.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own stories to share with the community. All levels of mobility can be met to gather in the Memorial Grove of Casper Creek Natural Cemetery. Event will be held ‘rain or shine’, but dangerous temperatures may cause the event to be postponed to September 27. No RSVP is necessary. All questions are answered at 815-677-3411 or [email protected]
Andra Olney-Larson is the operations manager of the Casper Creek Natural Cemetery– the only certified conservation cemetery serving the state of Illinois. Dedicated to bringing sustainable end-of-life opportunities to the Midwest and ensuring the future of compassion in conservation, Andra believes in empowering families to make choices that align with their values and beliefs. As a death doula, winner of the 2024 Dubuque Women’s Leadership Network award for Achievements in Her Field, and current student of Thanabotany through the School of American Thanatology, her work with natural burial is a continuation of her journey in conservation.

September 20 - 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Memorial Grove
870 Pilot Knob, Galena, IL
(Please park in the Casper Bluff Land & Water parking area)