Cemetery Rules and Guidelines  

Bluestem is a nature preserve with a conservation cemetery, open 365 days/year from dawn to dusk. Bluestem is closed before dawn and after dusk. No one should be on the preserve after daylight hours, unless granted express permission by Bluestem staff.

Conservation is practiced every day; natural burial is scheduled by appointment. Through natural burial at Bluestem, people and pets are returned to the earth simply and naturally, in biodegradable, unfinished materials. All burials must follow green burial principles of no embalming, metals, steel, plastics, nor vaults. 
All burial containers (purchased or handmade) must comply with Bluestem Burial Containers Standards and Specifications. Please contact staff directly to confirm suitability of burial materials, or if you have questions about replacement body parts (prostheses).

Gravesites at Bluestem are integrated into natural spaces within restored grasslands and woodlands. Families accept that gravesites will change over time and with the seasons. No plantings on graves are permitted. Gravestones can be cleared of plant matter. The gravesite itself is to remain unadorned and natural. No framing or manicuring of graves is permitted. 

Visitors are welcome to pick wildflowers and grasses from the fields, and to place natural materials found onsite at gravesites. They may also bring their own flowers. Flower arrangements placed on the grave must be natural and devoid of styling materials. No non-biodegradable materials are permitted inside the grave or on gravesites. Any non-biodegradable materials left at a gravesite or on the property will be removed. 

Gravestones are optional and lie flat to the ground. Individuals, or families, who desire a gravestone, can select one from the North Carolina flagstone that Bluestem carries onsite. Engraving of the stone is arranged by the individual/family and occurs offsite. No outside stone material is permitted.

Families are not permitted to plant at gravesites. Only plantings supplied and directed by staff and that support Bluestem’s ecological diversity are permitted on the property. 

Bluestem maintains a list of native plants that support the cemetery’s land restoration and stewardship plans. Families can make selections from this list to donate to Bluestem's Restoration Program, or they can participate in scheduled Family Planting Days in honor of their loved ones. Seasonal plantings are scheduled by Bluestem staff and occur around the property in accordance with Bluestem’s land management plans. We ask visitors and friends to keep informed about invasive plants. Click here for the North Carolina Native Plant Society's Invasive Plants list. Please contact staff if you would like more information.

Natural Gravesites at Bluestem   


​Ash scattering is not permitted at Bluestem. 

Ash burial at Bluestem is the burial of cremated remains from either fire cremation or water cremation. In each instance, the cremated remains (ashes) are removed from the urn and mixed with an organic compound that reduces the ash’s salinity and balances the soil’s pH. The ashes are then placed directly into the earth. The amending process can be performed by the family as part of their graveside ceremony, or Bluestem staff can amend the cremated remains privately, ahead of the service. Contact Bluestem staff with any questions.
Bluestem’s trail network is designed with respect for the ecological values on the property. It is managed for privacy, sustainability, and utility. No cutting of trees or grass, moving of existing rocks or boulders, or building of throughways to gravesites is permitted.  

Every grave is marked and recorded by staff, with the resident’s name and dates on an aluminum grave marker. You may find these aluminum markers in the fields and woodlands, as they also designate a reserved burial plot. Burial plots are recorded by GPS coordinates.

On an annual basis, Bluestem manages the native species of the grasslands and portions of the woodlands with prescribed burning and some mechanical mowing. Our prescribed fire events play a critical role in controlling invasive species and encouraging key grassland species. The burns do not negatively impact graves or gravestones.  

Walking is encouraged at Bluestem. Driving into the cemetery is by permission only. With ongoing, active restoration taking place, many portions of the cemetery are not suitable for vehicular traffic. Some portions of the woodlands may be difficult to access. For visitors with mobility concerns, golf cart appointments can be made on a limited basis. Please contact Bluestem staff for assistance.

Bicycles must be parked at the front gate. No mountain biking or ATV riding is allowed on the property. No horses are allowed on the preserve.  Dogs must be leashed at all times and their waste removed from the property. 

Camping and bonfires are not permitted at Bluestem, unless by express permission. No fishing, swimming or wading in the pond is permitted. Please do not trespass on neighboring properties. 
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Bluestem Cemetery Standards and Guidelines are reviewed regularly and updated online. 

Updated 5/30/2025