I first encountered the Jesse Tree in Symbols of the Church by C. E. Whittemore, illustrated by William Duncan. Jesse was the father of King David and a direct ancestor of Jesus Christ. The symbol is a beautiful interpretation of the family tree but also brings to mind the circle of nature and how matter cycles through organisms.
I've been very interested in recent trends towards natural/green burial. Our bodies are rich in nutrients and energy and by being buried unembalmed in a cotton shroud under a sapling we can provide the food to make that tree grow. Cobourg Union Cemetery is the only current location in Ontario that allows this kind of internment, hopefully only for the present. Natural burial has a smaller environmental footprint than cremation and should protect the created green space from future development.
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