 There are many ways to go about planning a green burial. With the use of a green burial service, you can cut your impact on the planet as well as lessen the often hefty financial burden. By making some eco-friendly choices, you can easily put on a heart-felt funeral that is both beautiful and eco-friendly.
Begin by avoiding fresh cut flowers. While they may be traditional, they certainly aren’t good for the environment. It is considered to be very wasteful to get fresh cut flowers. You may alternatively decide to buy organic potted plants and use them both at the funeral as well as the burial site. Other options to consider, include printing announcements and programs on recycled paper. Non-toxic ink, such as soy ink, is also a great eco-friendly alternative.
Envirocitizen.org suggests that you skip the embalming. Embalming is the process whereby the bodily fluids of the deceased are replaced with preserving chemicals. This means that when the body decomposes within the earth, the chemicals will be released into the environment. This is certainly not good for the future of the planet, as a buried body becomes part of the food chain. Embalming makes this natural process toxic. If you choose not to embalm, you will have to plan around a closed casket funeral as well.
Cremation is becoming a popular funeral option. While in the past it was considered to be a highly toxic process, the process has been refined and reformed, making it much more eco-friendly. While some pollutants may be emitted during cremation, crematoriums have recently begun lowering their emission rates. You may want to consider that many areas in the US are lowering cemetery usage because of chemical factors involved with burials.
If you choose to go with a cemetery burial, there are ways to lessen the direct impact on the environment. You may want to choose a cemetery that has the option of green burial grounds. Many cemeteries are already beginning to offer green burial options. Sustainable burial grounds are becoming very popular. When coordinating a burial, first consider the casket. Caskets come in many varieties, the most desirable of which are highly biodegradable. The cheapest, eco-friendly casket is a cardboard casket, which can cost as little as $50. Other biodegradable options, such as bamboo, are available for caskets. Skipping a vault is also very beneficial to the environment. Concrete or metal vaults protect the casket once it is lowered into the ground. Though the vault may protect the casket, it also prevents the ground from settling as the casket deteriorates. The cemetery usually makes the decision whether or not to use a vault, but the family can either specifically choose a cemetery where vaults are optional or they can discuss options with cemeteries that are open to alternative methods.
These simple choices are extremely beneficial to the environment for years to come. Envirocitizen.org understands that burial choices procedures are a matter of personal choice, which is why we offer a number of different green burial suggestions and supplies you’re your consideration.
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