Welcome the next generation
​Claire McFadyen, MPH, is a clinical research professional working on research projects involving orthopedic surgeries. She has bachelor’s degrees in anthropology and evolutionary biology, as well as a master’s degree in public health with an emphasis on environmental health. Claire has long been pursuing opportunities to support sustainable practices in all different phases of the human experience and believes in the mission of providing an environmentally conscientious and compassionate end of life option for people.
Bryan Beard sought out an education in industrial design due to his passion for creating things and an aspiration to one day create public memorials. He has always been interested in unique and meaningful ways that people can remember their loved ones. For the last seven years, Bryan has worked as an architectural model maker and is now ready to return to his original objective: to foster a space that honors those who have passed in a positive and approachable manner. 
Claire and Bryan appreciate what Linda and Donal have cultivated with La Puerta Natural Burial, and are grateful for the opportunity to help them continue their vision for many years to come. 
                                                                                                                        505-445-0204
​                                                                                          Email: naturalburialnewmexico@gmail.com
                                                                                                                 www.facebook.com/naturalburialnm/

Founders of Natural Burial New Mexico and La Puerta Natural Burial Ground


Dr. Donal W. Key's formal education is human development and counseling. He worked for decades in mental health in-patient psychiatric care and private practice, healthcare management, and consulting. He has been a hospice director; educating staff and assisting the dying and their families in obtaining a peaceful death. Dr. Key also hosted The Journey radio show, chronicling people’s end of life stories, and is a national speaker for healthcare providers on Hospice and Palliative Care End of Life Rights and Choices.

Linda Jo Canyon, OTR/L, is a registered, licensed occupational therapist with a dual degree in psychology and specialties in the rehabilitation of cancer patients and hospice and end of life care. She educates and empowers families and friends of the dying in end of life care and assists with burials. Linda is also a long-time national speaker for healthcare providers on the topics of rehabilitation after cancer treatment andHospice and Palliative Care End of Life Rights and Choices.

Donal and Linda, having worked for decades in end of life care participating intimately with the dying and their families, saw the need for an environmentally sustainable, respectful, affordable, kind, gentle, burial and this became their mission. 
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                                                                               Donal W. Key                                      Linda Canyon
                                                                           505-716-2543                                 505-360-4480
                                                                                        naturalburialnewmexico@gmail.com
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DIRECTIONS NOTE: The map directions will take you to the first green fence, the burial ground is at the second green fence ~2 miles past the first fence. 

  * Downloadable, printable directions are available at the bottom of the About page of this website *
Directions to La Puerta Natural Burial Ground
  From Albuquerque:
  1. Take I-25 S to Belen Exit 195 and through downtown Belen.
  2. Turn left (east) on W Reinken Ave/NM 309/River and continue across the Rio Grande River (about 2.4 miles).
  3. Turn right (south) onto Rio Communities Blvd/NM 47 South.
  4. Follow NM 47 S about 15 miles to just beyond the BNSF railroad crossing.
  5. Shortly after mile marker 4, which will be on your left (east) look for a LA PUERTA sign with two red flags next to a green gate. The gate is never locked. Please close this gate behind you, coming and going.
  6. La Puerta Burial Ground is 2.5 miles east toward the Manzano Mountains from the gate.
  7. There is also a green gate at the entrance to the cemetery. It is never locked. Please close the gate behind you.
From Socorro:
  1. Take I-25 N to NM 60 East. 
  2. Follow NM 60 E to the intersection with NM 47 North.
  3. Follow NM 47 N to a green gate on your right (east) after mile marker 3, just before mile marker 4. There is a LA PUERTA sign with two red flags next to a green gate. The gate is never locked. Please close this gate behind you, coming and going.
  4. La Puerta Burial Ground is 2.5 miles east toward the Manzano Mountains from the gate.
  5. There is also a green gate at the entrance to the cemetery. It is never locked. Please close the gate behind you.
From Mountainair:
  1. Take Highway 60 West to NM 47 North toward Belen.
  2. Follow NM 47 N to a green gate on your right (east) after mile marker 3, just before mile marker 4. There is a LA PUERTA ​sign with two red flags next to the gate. The gate is never locked. Please close this gate behind you, coming and going.
  3. La Puerta Burial Ground is 2.5 miles east toward the Manzano Mountains from the gate at the highway. 
  4. There is also a green gate at the entrance to the cemetery. It is never locked. Please close the gate behind you.