Tag Archives: Culture

Farley Center – Exploring the Understory of the Natural Path Sanctuary

beauty, community, Culture, environmental, fun, Spring, woods

Farley Center – Exploring the Understory of the Natural Path Sanctuary
Saturday May 17, 2025
10 AM-Noon

May in the forest is full of new life. Please come and explore the magic and the mystery with Mary Michal, and other master naturalists Theresa Berrie, Fred Dike, Dave Kelly and Colleen Robinson. Together we will discover what spring ephemerals are thriving at Natural Path Sanctuary, and how we can support them.

What are the threats, and how do we bring our mindful attention to the balance? We will walk gently through the Sanctuary, exploring what is present, with plenty of time to observe and share.

Mary Michal is a member of a number of organizations involved with care for the Earth, with a long-time connection with NPS, who worked closely with Linda Farley to provide hospice care in the 1980’s and early 90’s. She is grateful for Gene and Linda’s legacy, and the beauty and serenity of NPS.

Please meet at the Farley Center kiosk at 9:55 to start the walk at 10 a.m. Please wear appropriate clothing for the weather and good walking shoes as we will be walking along the dirt paths in the Sanctuary.

Exploring the Understory

Questions? Please contact programs@farleycenter.org

Farley Center “A Souper Start to the New Year” Potluck

celebration, community, Culture, Food, friendship, fun

1/4/25

A SOUPER START TO THE NEW YEAR – Potluck

Kick off the New Year with warmth and community at “A Souper Start to the New Year” Potluck on Saturday, January 4, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM at the Farley Center.

Join us for a cozy gathering featuring delicious homemade soups, bread, salad and great company. It’s a chance to connect with others as we embrace fresh beginnings.

Please bring your favorite soup, bread, or salad to share. Chef Shedd will delight us with his famous quiche! Farley Center will supply cookies for dessert.

This event is the perfect opportunity to reflect, recharge, and share in the spirit of togetherness. Bring a friend and your appetite—everyone is welcome! Hope to see you there!

RSVP to programs@farleycenter.org

Natural Path Sanctuary – Mock Burial Workshop

community, Culture, Death, Dying, end-of-life, environmental, Green Cemetaries, Grief

9/27/25

Natural Path Sanctuary – Mock Burial Workshop
10:30-12:30

Director Shedd Farley, Cemeterian Dustin Duve will host the day with a Natural Path Sanctuary Mock Burial. Shroud demonstration by Natural Path Sanctuary Board Member Brenda Prorok who is also a Funeral Director at Ryan Funeral Home.

Mock Burial Workshop

“Participants have the opportunity to learn what the green burial process entails by participating in a simulated version of it. This workshop includes Q&A with a Natural Path Sanctuary Cemetarian, pallbearing and even lowering “dead” weight into a grave.”

This event is free but please RSVP to programs@farleycenter.org

This event will take place OUTDOORS and a good portion will take place walking in the Sanctuary. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring your water bottles.

This event will take place RAIN OR SHINE.
Burials happen year around in snow, rain or sun.

Mock Burial Workshop Flyer

Natural Path Sanctuary (NPS) Rules and Regulations Presentation

community, Culture, Death, Dying, end-of-life, environmental, Green Cemetaries, Grief, woods

12/9/25

Natural Path Sanctuary (NPS) Rules and Regulations Presentation presented by NPS Cemeterians

The Natural Path Sanctuary promotes a legacy of care and respect for the earth through choosing a natural burial. We recognize that death is not always easy to accept, whether anticipated or unanticipated, and all involved with the Natural Path Sanctuary believe that there is healing in the practice of a natural-life sustaining burial.

The Natural Path Sanctuary is committed to family and community friendly burials with as minimal of an impact on the environment as possible. It is our desire to preserve the natural beauty of the land in life and in death.

Topics of discussion:
Embalming
Outer burial containers and liners
Biodegradable containers and coverings
Cremation Remains
Grave Markers
Planting of Flowers, plants, shrubs and trees
Floral Tributes and Decorations
Size of Memorial gathering

Our rules are based on our desire that people buried here will be a part of the natural path of life and death, buried amongst the trees and the plants.

Please RSVP to nps@farleycenter,org or call the Farley Center at 608-845-8724.

www.naturalpathsanctuary.org

Natural Path Sanctuary Death Education Market

community, Culture, Death, Dying, end-of-life, Green Cemetaries, Grief

Join Us for the Natural Path Sanctuary Death Education Market
Date: Saturday , June 21, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Farley Center, 2299 Spring Rose Rd, Verona, WI

The Natural Path Sanctuary (NPS) and Farley Center invite you to an engaging and educational event focused on end-of-life awareness and resources. The Death Education Market offers an opportunity to explore meaningful ways to approach death with compassion, knowledge, and preparation. This is the first time we are doing this event.

This unique event will feature:

1:30 Natural Path Sanctuary Tour by Director Shedd Farley and Cemeterian Dustin Duve

Local Vendors & Organizations: Connect with professionals offering eco-friendly burial products, funeral planning services, and holistic end-of-life care.

Whether you’re curious about sustainable burial practices, seeking guidance on end-of-life planning, or simply want to explore this important topic in a supportive setting, this market is for you. Share stories, ask questions, and learn from others in a welcoming, open environment

Admission: Free and open to the public.
There will be food vendors available – please bring cash.

To learn more about the Natural Path Sanctuary/Farley Center, go to naturalpathsanctuary.org and www.farleycenter.org

If you would like to participate, please contact programs@farleycenter.org We have limited space available for death education community groups, funeral homes, shroud and casket makers (all certified for use in the NPS) and other related organizations. All must be approved to participate.

We look forward to seeing you at this meaningful and inspiring event!

Participants: (More will be added as we confirm groups/vendors)
Natural Path Sanctuary
Ryan Funeral Home
Gunderson Funeral Home
Good Mourning
Walking Each Other Home
Prairie Sundance
Foster Funeral & Cremation Service
Madison Death Collective
National Association of Certified Death Midwives
Cress Funeral Home and Cremation Services
The Pink Peony
Humble Crossings
Pechman Memorials, Inc.
Threshold Singers of Madison
Casper Creek Natural Cemetery
Threshold Care Circle/ Driftless Green Burial Alliance
UW Organ and Tissue Donation

Food Vendor
El Sabor de Puebla/Reyna Gonzalez

Music by Julien Kozak
https://www.facebook.com/events/613538468168538

Natural Path Sanctuary Walking Tour

community, Culture, Death, Dying, end-of-life, environmental, Green Cemetaries, Grief, woods

5/13/25

Walking Tour with Natural Path Sanctuary

Come join a Natural Path Sanctuary Cemeterian, Shedd Farley or Dustin Duve, on a walking tour of the Natural Path Sanctuary. Meet at the bur oak tree near the red packing shed at the Farley Center at 9:50 a.m.. Please wear good walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather.

You MUST reserve a spot by e-mailing nps@farleycenter.org or calling the Farley Center at 608-845-8724. Tours fill up fast so if you sign up and need to cancel, please let us know so we can add another from our waitlist.

Come take a walk through the Natural Path Sanctuary and learn about green burial.

THIS IS AN OUTDOOR PRESENTATION – THERE WILL NOT BE A PRESENTATION IN THE CENTER.

Natural Path Sanctuary Walking Tour

community, Culture, Death, Dying, end-of-life, environmental, Green Cemetaries, Grief, woods

8/12/25

Walking Tour with Natural Path Sanctuary

Come take a walk through the Natural Path Sanctuary and learn about green burial.

THIS IS AN OUTDOOR PRESENTATION – THERE WILL NOT BE A PRESENTATION IN THE CENTER.

Natural Path Sanctuary Walking Tour

community, Culture, Death, Dying, end-of-life, environmental, Green Cemetaries, Grief, woods

10/14/25

Walking Tour with Natural Path Sanctuary

Come take a walk through the Natural Path Sanctuary and learn about green burial.

THIS IS AN OUTDOOR PRESENTATION – THERE WILL NOT BE A PRESENTATION IN THE CENTER.

Walking Tour Flyer

Natural Path Sanctuary (NPS)- Green Burial Presentation at Midwest Regional Energy Fair (MREA)

Culture, Death, Dying, Green Cemetaries, Grief

6/22/24

Director Shedd Farley will give a presentation titled “Green Burial” at the Midwest Regional Energy Fair (MREA) on Sat, June 22 at 1:00 – 2:00 pm in the blue flag tent.

https://www.theenergyfair.org/

The Green Burial presentation is listed under the Sustainable Living workshop category.

Learn about the history, culture, and methods of green burials compared to conventional methods. Gain insight into the environmental considerations, logistics, gimmicks, preparation, and containers ending with a question and answer session.

For more information, please contact Director Shedd Farley at director@farleycenter.org

Farley Center Summer Market featuring the NPS-4:00pm

celebration, community, Culture, environmental, farm, Food, friendship, fun

June 8, 2024, 4-5 p.m.

We will feature the Natural Path Sanctuary at the Farley Center Summer Market with a tour by Natural Path Sanctuary Board Chair Jeanne Meier from 4:00-5:00. Please meet a the kiosk a few minutes before 4:00.

So, come join us for a fun summer market at BOWA (Bur Oak Welcoming Area) at the Farley Center! We will have lots of vendors, food, music and a tour!

See info on the Farley Center Summer Market

Summer Market Flyer