How to Buy a Plot at the Honey Creek Woodlands
Generally, those wanting to purchase a spot are doing it at the time of need, or they want to purchase a space ahead of time (pre-planning).
At-Need
For “at-need” (when someone dies and no pre-planning has occurred) it is important to make arrangements with us as soon as possible. Obviously, those choosing cremation burial at the Honey Creek Woodlands do not have the same time constraints.
We recommend that families call us first, and also send an email (see our contact information), so we can help provide them with information about how to deal with the funeral home; in some cases (particularly in the Metro Atlanta area), we can provide a list of preferred providers. It is important to find providers who are familiar with or can provide the level of service that simple natural burial requires.
For example, many believe that natural burials that do not involve embalming require burial within a couple of days. However, many funeral homes now have refrigeration, so the funeral may be delayed if family needs time to gather for the service.
It is also important to find a provider who will not push items or services that are either not allowed or that are more expensive than need be. Our price lists are available (here), and a cost comparison for total funeral costs between contemporary and natural burial is available (here). Keep in mind that not all of the spaces are the same price.
If possible, family members or friends should arrange for a tour of the HCW the day of death or the next day at the latest to select the place for burial. If such a visit is not possible, the steward can select a space for the individual in the general type of habitat that seems most appropriate.
If possible, the funeral should be scheduled at least 24 hours after death, to provide the staff with time to hand dig the graves and prepare the site for the funeral.
For at-need services, financial arrangements to cover the burial must be taken care of before the funeral. The HCW does accept most major credit cards.
Planning Ahead
Whether or not you pay for a specific spot ahead of time, we recommend that you pre-plan. Pre-planning ensures that your wishes for natural burial are followed after your death. We recommend that you contact us before you contact your funeral home, to help you and the funeral director understand the requirements for natural burial. As with “at-need”, we might be able to provide you with the name of a preferred provider who has worked with us and other families before, and already understands what needs to happen.
The best place to start planning is by looking at the information provided on the web page. As time goes on, we will be adding more information and photos help you understand what burial at the HCW is all about.
When you call us, we can answer any remaining questions, and perhaps set up a site visit. We recommend that prospective clients go out with a steward, especially the first time you visit. The site is some distance from the Steward’s Cabin, and walkers should consider weather and other factors. The steward can provide a golf cart for the guided trip out, but these visits will need to be scheduled.
If you decide to purchase a specific site, you can go ahead and pay for it, or we can set up a payment plan (we cannot hold places without a payment plan). Should you change your mind about the space after you have begun to make payments, we can refund all but those funds that have already been contributed to any long term trust, along with 20% for administration.
We do offer family and group discounts.