<p>What does it mean to return to the earth?</p><p>In this episode, Jonathan speaks with willow weaver <a href="Mary Lauren Fraser: ⁠https://www.fraserbaskets.com/⁠" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Mary Lauren Fraser</a> about her work crafting biodegradable caskets designed to decompose naturally. </p><p>Their conversation explores the growing green burial movement, the environmental impact of traditional practices, and how reconnecting with natural cycles can reshape the way we think about death. This episode offers a thoughtful look at death as a process of return rather than preservation.</p><p><strong>Links:</strong></p><p>Mary Lauren Fraser: <a href="https://www.fraserbaskets.com/">⁠https://www.fraserbaskets.com/⁠</a></p><p>Green Burial Council: <a href="https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/" target="_new" rel="noopener">https://www.greenburialcouncil.org</a><br>Funerary Artisans Collective: <a href="" target="_new" rel="noopener">https://www.funeraryartisanscollective.com</a><br>National Home Funeral Alliance: <a href="https://www.homefuneralalliance.org/" target="_new" rel="noopener">https://www.homefuneralalliance.org</a><br>NEDA (End-of-Life Doulas): <a href="https://www.nedalliance.org/" target="_new" rel="noopener">https://www.nedalliance.org</a><br></p><p>This week’s episode was written and recorded in New York on the land of the Lenape tribes and in Massachusetts on the native lands of the <a href="https://native-land.ca/maps/territories/wabanaki-confederacy/">⁠Wabanaki Confederacy⁠</a>, <a href="https://native-land.ca/maps/territories/pennacook-2/">⁠Pennacook⁠</a>, <a href="https://native-land.ca/maps/territories/massa-adchu-es-et-massachuset-2/">⁠Massa-adchu-es-et (Massachusett)⁠</a>, and <a href="https://native-land.ca/maps/territories/pawtucket/">⁠Pawtucket⁠</a> people.</p><p>This episode was written, edited, and produced by Jonathan Zautner and Dori Robinson.</p><p>To learn more about our podcast and episodes, please visit <a href="http://treespeechpodcast.com/">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠treespeechpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> and consider supporting us through our <a href="https://www.patreon.com/treespeechpodcast?fan_landing=true">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> - every contribution supports our production, and we’ll be giving gifts of gratitude to patrons of all levels. Please also consider passing the word, and rate and review us on Apple podcasts. Every kind word helps. </p>