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For a place that prides itself on living close to the land, it’s strange that it has taken Humboldt County this long to develop a burial option that returns our loved ones to the Earth in an environmentally sustainable way, free from the chemicals and pollutants used in modern burials.

For many, modern burial practices — which have ironically come to be known as “traditional” — feel sterile and unnatural. Arcata resident Michael Furniss wants to change that through his nonprofit Sacred Groves, an eco-friendly “green conservation” cemetery nestled in the oak-studded hills of Kneeland.

“One of the things we want to make a contribution to is shifting American burial culture toward a more natural approach … that is as helpful to grieving families as it can be,” Furniss told the Outpost. “Cultural change is something we’re looking toward, not just this one facility. This is something that can be done, that people want and need, and it should become more available so that people have that choice, right?”

As you might guess, “green” burial is a natural approach to interment that forgoes chemical embalming, plastic liners, impermeable caskets and concrete vaults to encourage natural decomposition. In a green or natural burial, the body of the deceased is often wrapped in a cotton shroud or encased in a simple wicker casket. Everything that goes into the ground is biodegradable.

Up until the mid-19th century, natural burials were standard practice in the United States, with most families opting to bury their loved ones in modest family plots or churchyards. Modern embalming practices came about during the Civil War era as a means to preserve the bodies of fallen soldiers long enough for their remains to be transported and returned to their families for proper burial. Embalmers learned they could make a decent profit preserving bodies, and eventually it became the de facto method in the U.S. 

Green burials have grown in popularity in recent years as people look for new ways to reduce their carbon footprint, even in death.

Traditional burials use an estimated 4.3 million gallons of embalming fluid each year, along with 20 million board feet in hardwood for caskets and 1.6 million tons of reinforced concrete, according to an August 2025 report from U.S. Funerals Online. While cremations have a lesser environmental impact, the report notes that cremations are still responsible for nearly 700 million pounds of the nation’s annual CO₂ emissions.

“The standard practice of embalming people [uses] very toxic materials, and a lot of people aren’t interested in that,” Furniss said. “A lot of people like [the idea] of going back into nature and having your remains nourish an ecosystem. It sounds good to us. It’s very ‘Humboldt’ and we’re trying to provide that option here.”

‘I had this aspiration to create a tree-based cemetery’

Earlier this month, the Humboldt County Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for Sacred Groves’ 40-acre cemetery, located on a sprawling ridgeline parcel owned by the Eric and Mary Almquist Trust. The cemetery will accommodate both single and family plots, allowing a maximum of 120 graves per acre, each with an accompanying tree. The cemetery will also accommodate people wishing to spread the ashes or compost of a loved one. 

The vision for Sacred Groves stems from an experience Furniss had while studying soil science and plant nutrition as a graduate student at the University of California, Berkley in the 1970s. Sitting outside of the university’s agricultural building on a drizzly afternoon, watching raindrops fall from the sky and disappear into the ground, Furniss found himself thinking about death.

“I thought, ‘When my time comes, I want to be in the root zone of a redwood!’ That sounds nice, you know?” he said. “I was always sort of on the side, looking for a cemetery where you could be planted under a tree, and I never really found anything. There are some minor exceptions, but basically, it wasn’t available. So, I had this aspiration to create a tree-based cemetery.”

Decades later, Furniss would coin the term “entreement,” which he describes as the “placement of individuals in the root zones of the trees, where their remains quickly ascend into the trees and other plants to nurture and nourish the environment above and around them.” Through “entreement,” Furniss aims to restore the oak woodland native to the region.

After working on a green burial site down in Sonoma County —  which is still in the works — Furniss proposed a similar idea to Eric Almquist, founder and owner of the Almquist Lumber Company, and the pair got to work on a plan for a cemetery in Kneeland.

“I knew Eric was a real conservationist, and I knew he had some land, so I took him to coffee one day and asked [if he was interested],” Furniss said, noting that Almquist had used the land to grow hay in recent years. “As most ranch owners are, he’s always looking for sources of revenue that are not extractive [and] leave the land intact. He kind of brightened up and said, ‘Yeah, this sounds really interesting,’ and we just started working on it.”

Not wanting the cemetery to be a “money-making venture,” Furniss and Almquist agreed to form a nonprofit and assembled an 11-person board of directors to oversee operations, many of whom have backgrounds in conservation or end-of-life care. 

[CLARIFICATION: Furniss contacted the Outpost following publication to note that the Sacred Groves nonprofit was formed “years ago” with a two-person board. Almquist is an independent landowner partnering with the nonprofit, but he is not a board member.]

Through the environmental review process required for the county-issued permit, Furniss was pleased to find that the Kneeland property has “particularly good soil” for decomposition.

“When we looked at the Kneeland site, it has everything,” he said. “There are places where you don’t want a cemetery, you know, with sandy soil that’s close to water. … When we went out there with an excavator and dug up some soil, I was super excited … [because] it’s a really suitable site. It’s on a ridge top, and there are no streams anywhere nearby. There’s no groundwater because there’s no recharge area until you get down the slope a ways.”

The Planning Commission agreed with Furniss’s environmental assessment of the site. The only issue raised by commissioners was about the proposed depth of the graves, which was set at 18 inches, the minimum depth required by state law. 

Speaking at the Nov. 6 meeting, Commissioner Jerome Qiriazi asked if it was up to the county to “ensure that desecration doesn’t happen, or is that solely a liability for the property owner?” Staff said the matter was considered during environmental review, and the applicant had agreed to a utility easement as a condition of approval, which would prevent utilities from digging up potential gravesites in the future.

Staff also assured commissioners that animals digging up human remains buried at the recommended depth is virtually unheard of. Furniss agreed.

“When I first heard about the 18-inch depth minimum, I was like, ‘That’s not enough, animals will dig you up.’ … But it turns out animals don’t dig you up at that depth for a variety of reasons,” Furniss said. “One is that animals didn’t evolve with food being down there at that depth, and digging is really hard. Also, a decent topsoil is very good at capturing smells.”

“If there’s any animal interest or any digging at all at the site, we’ll respond to that right away,” he added.

The cemetery will begin facilitating burials in a few months, after a few legal and contractual matters are settled, Furniss said. As of this writing, more than 500 people have already contacted Sacred Groves to inquire about green burials and start planning their own plots subscribed to Sacred Groves’ emailing list.

Several people spoke in favor of green burials during the public comment section of the recent Planning Commission meeting, including Dr. Rebecca Stauffer, a former public health officer and board chair for Sacred Groves. 

“The minute I learned about this possibility … I have been so enthusiastic about the thought of the cleanest, greenest, and really most beautiful way to bury our loved ones,” Stauffer said. “I have been the chief thorn in Michael’s side for years to keep this project going.”

Rick Littlefield, owner of Eureka Natural Foods, acknowledged the irony in green burials as a “new” approach to death rituals, given that natural burial has been around since humans started burying one another.

“It’s the oldest thing on the planet, and it’s ironic that it seems like it’s sort of a new age thing because the way we’re doing things now is the new thing,” Littlefield said. “This would be going back to the old thing.”

‘Think about your death every day’

Before closing out our interview, I asked Furniss if creating Sacred Groves and talking to new people about natural burials had altered their — or his own — perspective on death. He acknowledged that the death of a loved one is one of the most painful experiences a person can endure, but felt a more holistic approach to end-of-life services — “one that is connected with nature, love, community and beauty” — can help ease the grief.

“We’ve seen that in other tree-planting ceremonies I used to do without burial, where we planted a tree in memorial to a person, and it’s usually quite helpful to the family,” he said. “That last memory that you have with that person, that should be something that is positive and affirming.  … And as the Buddhists say, ‘Think about your death every day.’ … Recognize that that’s going to happen, and it helps you to live more fully.”

Dr. Lois Anne Cook (née Simmons), age 76, passed away on November 3, 2025, in Eureka, California. Born on October 22, 1949, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Lois lived a life defined by service, compassion, and an unwavering dedication to healing.

Lois pursued her medical education at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and completed her residency in pediatrics at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Her commitment to public health led her to serve as a Fellow in the Epidemic Intelligence Service at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control from 1985 to 1987, where she focused on the epidemiology of birth defects and developmental disabilities.

Her career was marked by a deep devotion to children and families. From June 1988 to June 1999, she served as a developmental pediatrician and multidisciplinary team leader for the United States Department of Defense’s Exceptional Family Member Program. In this role, she worked tirelessly to ensure that military families with special needs children received the support and care they deserved.

In June 2001, Lois founded Comprehensive Pediatric Care, P.C., where she served as owner and pediatrician until May 2013. Her practice was not just a place of medicine but a sanctuary of hope for countless families. She later continued her work as a developmental pediatrician at Open Door Clinic from June 2013 to July 2014 and then as a pediatric hospitalist at Mad River Community Hospital beginning in October 2015.

Lois also gave generously of her time as a mentor with the Meritius Foundation, helping guide and inspire future generations of caregivers and leaders. Her professional life was a testament to her belief that every child deserved not only medical care but also affirmation, encouragement, and love.

Outside of her professional accomplishments, Lois lived with profound spiritual depth. Her spirituality transcended any single tradition — it was an ever-present force in how she moved through life, treated others, and found meaning in both the ordinary and extraordinary. Whether hiking with her beloved dogs Lulu and Muzzy or listening to meditation books through her earbuds, she found peace and purpose in nature and reflection.

Every day, rain or shine, she walked Lulu and Muzzy at the dog park near her home in McKinleyville. During blackberry season, she would return from those walks with bags full of berries she had picked along the way — simple joys that reflected her deep connection to the world around her.

Lois was an avid reader with an extensive library that reflected both her intellectual curiosity and spiritual journey. She inspired countless people to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams. Through her example, she showed that anything is possible when guided by love, faith, and determination.

She leaves behind her daughter Jennifer Paris; her sister Jeanne; and brothers Leon, John, Mark, and Joe. She was preceded in death by her daughter Marian Jessica Cook and brother Danny.

Lois’s legacy lives on in the lives of those she touched — patients who felt truly seen and heard under her care; colleagues who were uplifted by her wisdom; family members who were nourished by her love; and friends who were transformed by her presence.

She was truly an instrument of God — relentless in her pursuit of healing, committed wholly to service, and gifted with one of the most compassionate hearts imaginable. She gave selflessly — never hesitating to offer help or comfort — and never stopped searching for answers when it came to those under her care.

May her memory bring comfort to all who knew her and continue to inspire those who follow in her footsteps.

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Richard Wilmer McDowell, aged 88 years, passed away peacefully on November 15, 2025.

A Fortuna resident for over 22 years, Richard originally hailed from Marion, Iowa. He and his wife Lee lived and worked in Southern California before moving to Fortuna in retirement.

Richard was a US Navy veteran, a teacher of Spanish and Social Science, an artist, a musician, a doer of good deeds nd a connoisseur of free time.

He was an avid ukelele player and taught ukelele classes at the Fortuna Senior Center. He also emceed the Fortuna Senior Center “Open Mic” events for five years. He was a birder and he and his wife participated in the Blue Bird recovery program in Orange County. As a skilled model boat builder he was recognized and awarded at the Humboldt County Fair.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ligia “Lee” McDowell; his son, Richard E. McDowell and his wife Jessica; daughter Maria “Maggie” Gray; grandson Amir Gholizadeh and his finance, Stephanie Valle and granddaughter, Sarah Reyes; and his sister, Pat Wiedenman of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

He loved his family, and Fortuna, very much.

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William C. Landergen, Sr. — “Cowboy” — age 86, of Mad River, passed away September 17, 2025 in Eureka following a brief illness. His final days were spent with family and friends.

Bill was born May 31, 1939, the only child of Gene and Nevada Landergen. Honeydew was home, where he spent his time with his many cousins hunting, fishing and discovering his love of cars.

Bill attended local schools, graduating from Fortuna High School in 1956. In 1957 he joined the Navy and returned to Fortuna in 1959 to marry his “Miss Ornery” Marilyn Mastel. Bill and Marilyn were married for 60 years at the time of her passing in August of 2019. They raised their five children in the Humboldt/Trinity County area with Bill working as a truck driver for many years.

Driving for so many years Cowboy made friends from across the country. He would regularly keep in touch and check up on his family and friends, his calls will be missed.

Bill and Marilyn loved dancing, watching their kids compete in various sports and participating in car shows. His 1951 Chevy sedan was a source of pride and working on it a favorite hobby. They loved their car show family.

Bill is survived by his children Robert E. Landergen of Mad River, CA, Robin L. Landergen (Allyson) of Ogden, UT, LaDonna K. Haga (Gary) of Honeydew, CA, Gary F. Landergen of Jackson, CA and his daughter-in-law Mandy Landergen of McKinleyville, CA also his brother-in-law Arthur Mastel (Liz) of Medford, OR, as well as 7 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandson. He will be missed by numerous other family.

Two days of thunder and lightning following his passing was a sign to his family that he had been reunited with those who had passed before him and the party had begun. Welcoming Bill home, his wife Marilyn Landergen, parents Gene and Nevada Landergen, in-laws Robert and Eva Mastel, son William “Cully” Landergen Jr, grandson Gary “Bub” Haga Jr and brother-in-law Robert Mastel.

Please join the family on Sunday, December 7th at 1 p.m. for a Cowboy Celebration at the Fortuna Veterans Building. If you have it, western wear would be appropriate and appreciated. Come prepared to share your best stories about Cowboy. If you’re not comfortable sharing in person, an audio recording on your phone could be shared. A potluck will follow, sandwich fixings will be provided, bring a side dish to share if you are so inclined.

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Jackie Lea Glenn, born October 20, 1931, in Orange County, California, to Hazel Woodring Incho and Jack Incho, passed away peacefully in Eureka on November 6, 2025.

Jackie graduated from Huntington Beach High School and later attended UCLA, where she met Gale Glenn. They married in 1953 and welcomed three children: Cathleen, Cheryl, and Dana. Jackie returned to her education and earned her degree from California State University, Chico in 1975.

A devoted social worker, Jackie touched countless lives through her compassion, advocacy, and commitment to the underprivileged and disadvantaged. Jackie was a member of Gamma Phi Beta at UCLA. She was a past member Quota Club International and was an active member of Chapter WA of the P.E.O. Sisterhood.

Jackie is predeceased by her parents and her brother, Harry Incho. She is survived by her three children: Cathleen Woodward and husband Kevin; Cheri Glenn Anderson and husband Tom; Dana Glenn and her partner of 48 years, Betsy Thode. She is also survived by her grandchildren—Jamie Coppedge, Aaron Coppedge, Casey Bauguess and wife Misty, Kelsey Glenn and fiancé Steven Hartman, Alexandra Anderson, Tierney Anderson, and Calle Anderson—along with five great-grandchildren, her nephew Jonathan Incho and family, and dear friends Lyn Iversen and Christopher Lamoreaux of Fortuna, and Nina and Kent DeSpain of Logan, Utah.

A celebration of Jackie’s life will be held in the spring of 2026.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jackie’s memory to The P.E.O. Sisterhood, the Sequoia Humane Society, or the Humboldt Senior Resource Center Meals on Wheels program.

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A decent splash of rain last night means that the flood-prone places are once again flooded. You know which ones I mean! We’re talking Elk River, we’re taking Freshwater, we’re talking Hookton.

Friends, please don’t try to drive through a river, that was as recently as yesterday a road! You might end up like the pickup above, claimed by the angry, muddy Elk. 

Say the good folks at the Sheriff’s Office:

This driver got stuck on a flooded roadway without cell phone service on Elk River Road earlier today. Thanks to a passerby calling 911, our Swift Water Rescue Technician got them safely to dry land. Remember: Turn around, don’t drown on flooded roadways!

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Nov.16, 2025, at approximately 12:33 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 7300 block of State Highway 36 in Carlotta for a reported physical assault. While en route, deputies were advised that the suspect had attacked his 70-year-old mother and fled the scene.

Upon arrival, deputies contacted the 70-year-old female victim, who reported that her son, 43-year-old Matthew Warren Bowen had physically attacked her. She told deputies that she attempted to lock herself in a bedroom to prevent further assault, but Bowen forced his way inside, struck her multiple times and slammed her into the furniture. The victim sustained minor injuries and did not require immediate medical attention. Deputies contacted the on-call judge, who granted an emergency protective order for the victim.

Deputies searched the surrounding area for Bowen, but he was not located.

At approximately 8:06 a.m., deputies were dispatched back to the residence after a neighbor called the Humboldt County Emergency Communications Center to report that Bowen had returned. Upon arrival, deputies searched the property and eventually located Bowen hiding in a crawlspace underneath the house. He refused multiple commands to exit, and after several hours of negotiations, deputies sought a warrant for his arrest. Once the warrant was obtained, deputies again attempted to get Bowen to surrender, but he continued to refuse. Deputies then deployed less-lethal chemical agents into the crawlspace.

Bowen subsequently exited the crawlspace and surrendered to deputies without further incident. He was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility, where he was booked on the following charges:

• 273.6(a) P.C. Violation of domestic violence court order
• 368(b)(1) P.C. Cause injury to dependent adult
• 1203.2(a)(1) P.C. Violation of probation
• 148(a)(1) P.C. Resist/Obstruct peace officer
• 245(a)(4) P.C.  Assault likely to produce great bodily injury

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.