Everything You Need to Know about Green Burials

It’s usually a difficult time when you lose someone dear to you. While you deal with the realization that you’re going to see them again, you’d need to commence funeral arrangements to say your final goodbye.

And while there are limited options available, people choose between actual burials or cremation. However, there’s another option you may not know of yet: green burials.

This article will explore all you need to know about green burials and how to plan one.

What is Green Burial?

Green burial is the simple process of burying a body in a way where complete decomposition can occur. This simply means the deceased will not be cremated or embalmed with chemical fluids.

Instead, the decedent will be placed in a biodegradable coffin and buried without the need for a burial vault, headstone, or tomb. That way, the body can return to the earth so that environmental sustainability is encouraged.

Why Should You Choose Green Burials?

Green burial isn’t a new practice but had been practiced even before the mid-19th century. Religions such as Islam and Christianity practice green burials even today. Some of the reasons why you should practice it includes:

• Reduced costs. We all know burials can be expensive. Think about purchasing fancy caskets, concrete vaults, funeral arrangements, and other expenses. With green burials, you won’t have to worry about spending too much on funeral costs.
• Simplicity. If the deceased was a minimalist, then green burial might be a great option. The mere idea of wrapping a dead in a simple shroud or a plain coffin is natural and unpretentious.
• Preservation of natural resources. According to the Green Burial Council, the US approximately buries 20 million boards of hardwood,1.6 million tons of concrete, 17,000 tons of copper and bronze, and 64,500 tons of steel into the ground yearly. With green burials, you wouldn’t be contributing to that data.
• Reduced hazardous chemicals. The process of embalming a deceased will require the funeral home workers to use formaldehyde – a respiratory irritant that is hazardous. Green burials eliminate this problem completely.

How Do You Choose a Cemetery?

Green burials are typically held in green cemeteries. The first green cemetery was opened in 1998. Since then, there have several others set up across the US and Canada. These cemeteries are often located inside the convectional cemetery.

However, others are sited within a forest conservation area, existing park, and specialized habitat area.

If there are no green cemeteries nearby, you have to incorporate a green burial process for the deceased in a nearby cemetery. That will mean not choosing a concrete vault, opting for a shroud or biodegradable casket. In some cases, some states allow home burial on private property. Check with your municipal board to see if such a permit is applicable.

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