A Will for the Woods

It took four credited filmmakers—Amy Browne, Jeremy Kaplan, Tony Hale, Brian Wilson—to bring us the news that a majority of Americans are not aware of the option of "green” burials, which utilize natural and low-impact materials on protected land that has not been clear-cut, as opposed to being formaldehyde-entombed in a stainless-steel coffin beneath a sterile, manicured lawn. A Will for the Woods follows one such case, the carefully planned memorial of North Carolina-based Dr. Clark Wang, a lymphoma-stricken psychiatrist, musician, and folk dancer. Although dying, Wang paradoxically blazes with verve, wit, and energy—literally dancing on his own (untreated wood) customized coffin. As his disease resists end-stage treatment, Wang and his supportive wife Jane meet the pioneers in a green burial movement and begin to plan his home-based funeral (which will take place without embalming fluid) and subsequent green burial. The film avoids heavy eco-preaching or extensive criticism of the mainstream funeral industry (which we are told will enthusiastically endorse green burials as long as it does not amount to admission of past toxic wrongdoing). A fine complement to Mark Harris's 2008 book Grave Matters, which covers some of the same ground (no pun intended), this thought-provoking documentary on end-of-life issues is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)