Tree burial & farewell to Trudi

It was a sunny but crisp autumn day when a group of about 20 relatives, thoughtfully on foot, slowly approached our funeral forest. Hands clasped, heads down, lost in thought. Their thoughts belonged to Trudi, who passed away a week ago.

But today is a very special day for Trudi. Her last journey will end here in just over an hour. She had wished for a birch tree as her gravesite, where her ashes will be embedded to the roots of the tree. Only a short number designation on the tree will enable the relatives to find it. This is how Trudi wanted it, only a small circle of friends should know where Trudi found her eternal rest.

So now everyone is gathered around the tree in a semicircle and listens to the words of the eulogist and finally to Trudi's favourite song, "Der Schacher Seppli" by Ruedi Rymann. Waldi is also present, her dog, which was entrusted to her neighbour and friend in her will. This amount of cash should be enough, she said, and handed over an envelope to the neighbour Hilda, so that old Waldi can enjoy his life for a few more years before he also has to go.

Everyone said goodbye in front of the natural grave, covered the tree grave little by little with a small garden shovel and some soil, and placed a flower or rose petals on top. Farewell Trudi, they said under crying eyes and tears. And so, on this day, dear Trudi, wife of a doctor who died at an early age, found her final resting place in the midst of nature.