JOIN US FOR A TOUR ON SEPTEMBER 19TH!
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Stroll the emerald green trails of New Jersey's first green burial preserve and discover what makes natural burial so special. Date and Time: Saturday, September 19th at 12:00 PM Saturday, November 21st at 11:00 AM Location: 101 Steelmantown Road, Woodbine, New Jersey 08270 RSVP: [email protected] |
A First of its Kind
A Natural Burial Service at Steelmantown Cemetery
Experience a natural resting place with significant history and abundant nature. Established as a family burial ground in the 1680s, Steelmantown Cemetery existed during Colonial America, witnessing the development of the United States firsthand. Some of America's first colonists, as well as soldiers from the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, can be found in the historic section of the cemetery.
Ed Bixby—the founder of Steelmantown Cemetery Company (Destination Destiny) and a life-long resident of the area—counts generations of relatives buried in the cemetery, as it was his very ancestors that established the burial ground. Unfortunately, when he visited the thirteen-acre property in 2007, he discovered an unsettling scene. Determined to restore dignity to this resting place of so many, Ed contacted the owner about improving the state of the cemetery, who replied with a proposition: "Why don't I just give it to you?"
Recognizing the potential for the site, Ed eagerly accepted responsibility for revitalizing the property and rebuilt the church that once stood on the property. Using a single photograph and his mother's memory, he created an exact replica of Steelmantown Southern Baptist Church, which now stands as an All Faiths Chapel. The comprehensive renovation effort also included restoring graves and removing garbage.
Several months after revitalizing the site, Ed stumbled upon a news article about green burial. He realized that by default, Steelmantown Cemetery met all of the criteria for a green burial preserve; as a rural burial ground, Steelmantown has conducted natural, "simple" burials for hundreds of years. From that day forward, Steelmantown Cemetery became New Jersey's first official green burial preserve, offering woodland burials along nature trails.
Learn more by watching this documentary about Steelmantown Cemetery: Steelmantown
Ed Bixby—the founder of Steelmantown Cemetery Company (Destination Destiny) and a life-long resident of the area—counts generations of relatives buried in the cemetery, as it was his very ancestors that established the burial ground. Unfortunately, when he visited the thirteen-acre property in 2007, he discovered an unsettling scene. Determined to restore dignity to this resting place of so many, Ed contacted the owner about improving the state of the cemetery, who replied with a proposition: "Why don't I just give it to you?"
Recognizing the potential for the site, Ed eagerly accepted responsibility for revitalizing the property and rebuilt the church that once stood on the property. Using a single photograph and his mother's memory, he created an exact replica of Steelmantown Southern Baptist Church, which now stands as an All Faiths Chapel. The comprehensive renovation effort also included restoring graves and removing garbage.
Several months after revitalizing the site, Ed stumbled upon a news article about green burial. He realized that by default, Steelmantown Cemetery met all of the criteria for a green burial preserve; as a rural burial ground, Steelmantown has conducted natural, "simple" burials for hundreds of years. From that day forward, Steelmantown Cemetery became New Jersey's first official green burial preserve, offering woodland burials along nature trails.
Learn more by watching this documentary about Steelmantown Cemetery: Steelmantown
From Tragedy to Triumph, The Story of Steelmantown: Southern Funeral Director Magazine Feature (August 2026)
Services
A site of considerable peace, history and beauty, Steelmantown Cemetery is forested by massive oak, cedar, and pine trees running alongside natural cedar bogs, featuring three miles of eco-trails. Accenting its serenity, hundreds of natural, undeveloped acres of New Jersey’s Belleplain State Forest neighbor the location. Return to nature with one of our eco-friendly funeral options.
Natural Burial
Rest among a meadow with views of Steelmantown Church or amongst the trees in the forest. Historic Meadow Section Plot: - 3' by 10' Double Interment Plot: $3,500 Woodland Burial Plot: - 5' by 10' Single Burial Plot: $3,500 - 10' by 10' Double Burial Plot: $6,750 *15% Preservation & Maintenance Fee Applied at the Time of Payment At the Time of Service: $1,650 Grave Opening and Closing Fee All Services Include: - Opening and closing of the gravesite. - Complimentary use of Steelmantown Chapel. - A complimentary fieldstone that can be engraved or painted. *Pre-Arrangement is Available |
Tree of Life
Become and create new life with tree of life cremains burial. Tree of Life: - 3' by 3' Single Woodland TOL Plot: $2,000 - 3' by 3' Single Trailside TOL Plot (2 Sets of Cremains): $3,500 *15% Preservation & Maintenance Fee Applied at the Time of Payment Plantings: Non-native memorial trees/shrubs are prohibited. Service Include: - Opening and closing of the gravesite. - Complimentary use of Steelmantown Chapel. - A complimentary fieldstone that can be engraved or painted. *Pre-Arrangement is Available |
Preservation Memorial Walk
Help us preserve and protect Steelmantown's precious natural surroundings by supporting the creation of a memorial that will line the entrance of the eco-trail. Memorial Walk: - 1' by 1' Cremains Burial Plot: $1,000 Services Include: - Opening and closing of the gravesite. - Complimentary use of Steelmantown Chapel. - A complimentary fieldstone that can be engraved or painted. Scattering Garden: - Cremains Scattering: $750 *15% Preservation & Maintenance Fee Applied at the Time of Payment *Pre-Arrangement is Available |
Trail Map
