If you care about your footprint on the environment (and we know you do), you might wonder how you can minimize your ecological impact even after death.
Interest in “green” burial has skyrocketed in recent years, and we now have more options for an eco-friendly burial than ever before. Here’s what you need to know about what makes a burial “green.”
A green burial is a method of returning to the Earth naturally after death, with minimal impact on the environment.
Some of these methods represent a return to simpler burial practices that have existed for thousands of years. Others consist of brand-new processes and technologies that can help us leave a smaller footprint on the Earth.
Green burials have far-reaching benefits, including the following:
- Emotional value. Knowing that you or your loved one will be returning to the Earth in a natural way can offer emotional peace.
- Financial advantage. Green burial involves less-expensive materials and processes.
- Cultural connection. Eco-friendly burial allows many people to view death as a natural part of life. It also allows us to connect with our cultural histories by participating in age-old practices.
- Ecological impact. Of course, the primary benefit of green burials is that they let us return to nature and even nourish the environment.
There’s a wide range of options when it comes to green burial, including the ones listed below. Keep in mind, however, that not all of these might be legal where you live.
- Bio casket. A “bio casket” or a biodegradable casket is a burial container made out of softwood (like pine, for example), banana leaves, wicker, or even cardboard. Any material that’s renewable and biodegradable can be used to create a bio casket.
- Burial shroud. A burial shroud lets you forego the casket altogether. A shroud is a piece of cloth fabric that’s biodegradable and used to wrap a body before burial. You can buy burial shrouds online, or you can make one yourself out of cotton, muslin, silk, bamboo, or any other eco-friendly material.
- Burial pod. This option isn’t actually available in the United States, but it’s something to keep a lookout for in the future. A burial pod allows you to be buried within an egg-shaped, biodegradable pod that can grow a plant or tree.
- Burial suit. Similar to a burial shroud but tailored to fit your body like an article of clothing, a burial suit can contain mushroom spores that help in detoxifying and decomposing your body.
As mentioned, green burials aren’t always allowed, depending on where you live. However, you can likely find a green cemetery or “hybrid” cemetery relatively near you.
The Green Burial Council sets the standards for natural cemeteries in the US. Here are some of the different types of cemeteries that may allow green burial.
- Conventional cemetery. Some conventional cemeteries allow natural burial. If they do, they might be referred to as “hybrid” cemeteries.
- Natural cemetery. A natural cemetery only accepts naturally prepared bodies in biodegradable containers. They have to be certified by the Green Burial Council and meet specific requirements.
- Conservation burial ground. A conservation burial ground has to meet all of the requirements for a natural burial, and it must also be permanently preserved.
Green burial isn’t your only option if you want to honor the environment after death. You could also choose one of these options:
- Aquamation. “Flameless” cremation or aquamation uses alkaline hydrolysis to break down the body and doesn’t release smoke into the air.
- Memorial reef. For something more unique, you can have your body cremated and mixed with concrete to form an artificial reef that can support marine life.
- Sea burial. As long as you follow certain rules, burial at sea may be a viable and sustainable option.
As you can see, there’s more to green burial than might initially meet the eye. However, if you’re set on returning to the Earth in a natural way, uninfluenced by non-biodegradable materials or potentially harmful chemicals, make sure to add your green burial wishes in your end-of-life plans.
