Sacred Grove Preserve
Founder and President
Arlette O’Rourke is the founder of Sacred Grove, Charleston’s first green burial sanctuary. A certified Green Cemetery Operator, and End-of-Life Doula, Arlette brings a multidisciplinary background in psychology, hospice care, and ecological restoration to her work. Her vision for Sacred Grove grew out of a deep commitment to both spiritual integrity and environmental responsibility—creating a model where death care actively contributes to land conservation, biodiversity, and community healing.
About Us
Returning to the Earth with Intention
Sacred Grove is a conservation burial sanctuary nestled within the boundaries of the Francis Marion National Forest. As the first dedicated green burial preserve in the Charleston region, Sacred Grove was founded to meet a growing need—for death care practices that honor both the human spirit and the natural world.
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to offering meaningful, sustainable alternatives to conventional burial.
At Sacred Grove, we believe that death is not the end, but a sacred return to the earth—a chance to nourish the soil, restore ecosystems, and create a living legacy through land conservation.
Our burial practices avoid embalming chemicals, concrete vaults, and imported hardwoods. We use only biodegradable materials, allowing each body to return naturally to the land. Each burial contributes to carbon sequestration, native habitat restoration, and long-term land stewardship.
But Sacred Grove is more than a burial ground. It is a place of reflection, healing, and reconnection. Rooted in interfaith values and open to all, we offer a sacred space where families can honor their loved ones in a way that is spiritually grounded, environmentally responsible, and deeply personal.
Our mission is to transform how we relate to death, grief, and legacy—by helping people choose a final resting place that gives back to the earth, honors the cycles of life, and protects the land for generations to come.