Green Funerals: Choosing Eco-Friendly Resting Place Options

Losing a loved one is never easy, and finding a way to say goodbye that aligns with your values can be comforting. Green funerals and eco-friendly resting place options offer a beautiful, natural way to honor your loved one while also respecting the earth. This guide is here to help you navigate these choices with care and compassion.

Overview of Green Options

As we reflect on the legacy we leave behind, many of us feel a deep responsibility to care for the planet. Green funeral choices offer a meaningful way to honor both our loved ones and the earth. These practices focus on simplicity, reducing waste, and using biodegradable and natural materials, providing families with the comfort of knowing their final tribute helps preserve the environment for future generations.

Why Eco-Friendly Choices Matter

Traditional funeral practices, with embalming chemicals, caskets that don’t easily degrade, or cremation, which emits carbon dioxide, can leave a lasting impact on the environment. Green options aim to avoid this impact, avoiding the use of chemicals, reducing carbon emissions, and prioritizing natural materials that allow the body to return naturally to the earth. By making an eco-friendly funeral plan, families reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to protecting the environment.

Purpose of This Guide

This guide provides you with important information on green resting place and eco-friendly funeral options. Whether you’re interested in understanding the costs, exploring natural burial cemeteries, or learning about the benefits of environmentally friendly services, we’re here to offer guidance. We hope this resource gives you the peace of mind you need to make these important decisions.

Types of Eco-Friendly Options

Natural Burial: A natural burial involves placing the body directly in the ground without embalming chemicals. Instead, biodegradable caskets or simple shrouds made from natural fibers are used, allowing the body to decompose naturally and return nutrients to the earth. Natural burial grounds are focused on environmental preservation, often restricting grave markers to natural stones or trees to maintain the landscape and encourage local biodiversity.

Aquamation: Aquamation, also known as water cremation, is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional flame cremation. This process uses water, heat, and alkaline to break down the body, mimicking natural decomposition. Aquamation consumes significantly less energy than flame cremation and produces no harmful emissions. The remaining liquid is safe for the environment, and bone ash, similar to traditional cremation, can be returned to the family.

Composting: Composting, sometimes called human composting, transforms the body into nutrient-rich soil through accelerated natural decomposition. The body is placed in a vessel with organic materials like wood chips and straw, and microbes break it down over a few month period, creating compost that can help nourish the earth. Composting is currently legal in several U.S. states, including Washington, California, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, and New York, offering a highly sustainable alternative to traditional burial or cremation.

Others: There are other creative, more environmentally conscious methods for laying a body to rest. While natural burial, aquamation, and composting are the most common, other methods may be available in your area with varying degrees of environmental benefit.

Comparison with Traditional Burials and Cremation

When analyzing at green options, it is helpful to understand the impacts of traditional ground burials and cremation practices. Traditional ground burial practices often involve processes that have a significant impact on the environment. Embalming, for example, uses toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, which can seep into the ground and contaminate nearby water sources. Additionally, conventional caskets, typically made from treated wood or steel, take an extremely long time to break down, contributing to long-term environmental challenges. Cremation may involve embalming as well and requires emitting carbon dioxide and other gases as part of the process.

Benefits of Green Funerals

Choosing a green option provides several benefits, both for the environment and for families seeking a more meaningful and natural way to honor their loved one:

• Reduced Impact: Traditional funerals, particularly those involving embalming, release toxic chemicals and greenhouse gases. Green burials avoid these emissions and rely on natural decomposition, making them a much more sustainable option.

• More Affordable: Green burials are often less expensive than traditional funerals. By forgoing embalming, costly caskets, and concrete vaults, families can focus on simplicity and natural beauty rather than elaborate and expensive arrangements.

• Support for Conservation: Many green burial sites are located on conservation lands, helping to preserve natural habitats and protect vital ecosystems. These conservation burials ensure that the land remains untouched, providing a lasting legacy for future generations.

• Deeper Connection to Nature: A green funeral allows families to align their end-of-life choices with their eco-conscious values. This option offers peace of mind, knowing that a loved one’s final resting place contributes to the health of the planet, fostering a deeper connection to nature.

• Simplicity and Personalization: Green options provide families with more flexibility and the opportunity to create a personalized ceremony. Whether choosing a scenic natural burial ground or incorporating personal touches into the service, families have the freedom to honor their loved one in a way that feels authentic and meaningful, without the constraints of traditional funeral practices.

Planning a Green Burial or Eco-Friendly Funeral

Choosing a Green Funeral Home:

Finding the right funeral home is essential when planning a green burial or eco-friendly funeral. Not all funeral homes offer these services, so researching to ensure your chosen provider aligns with your eco-conscious values is crucial. Many green funeral homes provide services that prioritize sustainability, such as biodegradable caskets, natural burial sites, and no-embalming options.

Start with Research:

Begin by searching for funeral homes that clearly advertise green or eco-friendly services. Many funeral homes list these options on their websites, offering insights into their range of green burials, biodegradable caskets, or alternative cremation methods. The Green Burial Council (GBC) provides directories of certified green funeral homes to help you find a provider that fits your needs. Repose enables you to search for funeral homes that offer green resting place options, helping to quickly identify these local providers.

Compare Services:

Not all funeral homes offer the same level of green services. Some may provide biodegradable caskets, while others offer more comprehensive services, such as natural burial options or aquamation. Comparing providers ensures you find one that meets your specific needs. Use Repose to quickly compare provider offerings for differences in type, quality, and price.

Selecting Biodegradable Caskets and Shrouds:

Choosing biodegradable caskets and shrouds is a key part of a green burial. Options include untreated wood, bamboo, wicker, or cloth shrouds made from natural fibers. These materials break down naturally, allowing the body to return to the earth. Repose marks provider’s products as “eco-friendly” to aid in this selection process. Be sure to check the requirements of the burial ground, as most have specific guidelines for biodegradable materials. 

Legal Considerations:

Green options must comply with state and local regulations. Some states may require embalming for transportation, while other area have specific rules on casket material or burial location. Thus, some green options may not be available in your area. If you have a strong preference for a particular green resting place option, local providers can help transport your loved one to an area that has more accommodating regulations.

Location Options:

Natural burial requires finding a natural burial ground, conservation burial site, or eco-friendly cemetery. Natural burial grounds focus on minimal environmental disruption, while conservation sites contribute to land preservation efforts. When selecting a location, consider its long-term ecological impact and how it aligns with your environmental values. You may need to travel a long distance to find an accommodating location, as natural burials are not suitable for most cemeteries. 

 

Costs of Green Funerals and Eco-Friendly Resting Place Options

The costs of green funerals and eco-friendly resting place options can vary dramatically depending on the location, specific services selected, and individual preferences. However, green options can be more affordable than traditional funerals, primarily due to the elimination of costly components like embalming and elaborate caskets.

More families are choosing these eco-friendly alternatives not only for their financial benefits but also for the positive environmental impact they offer.

Breakdown of Typical Expenses

Embalming: Embalming, often a requirement for traditional ground burials, can add hundreds to even a few thousand dollars to your total cost. Green options eliminate this expense entirely, as embalming is avoided to maintain the body’s natural state.

Land Costs: While land costs can vary dramatically, natural burial grounds and conservation lands may offer some cost savings over traditional cemetery plots.

Caskets: Caskets for traditional ground burials can cost anywhere from $2,000 to well over $10,000. For natural burials, biodegradable caskets and shrouds are used, which generally cost less, with most under $3,000. This significant reduction in casket expenses makes green burial options more affordable.

Burial Containers: Cemeteries often require outer burial containers for traditional ground burials to better preserve the gravesite. These containers often cost a few thousand dollars. These are not required for natural burials, providing another opportunity for cost savings.

Total Costs

Depending on the green option and the products and services selected, the total cost savings for a green funeral over a tradition option can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Natural burials typically have more potential for cost savings as compared to traditional ground burials, whereas aquamation or composting may yield small cost savings over cremation.

Memorialization in Green Funerals

With green funerals, memorialization takes an environmentally conscious approach, reflecting the values of sustainability. Families often seek alternatives to traditional services, opting for a ceremony that resonate with both nature and the cherished memories of their loved ones.

Eco-Friendly Memorialization Options

Memorial Services in Nature: Families may prefer to hold celebrations of life in natural settings such as:

Gardens, which reflect the serenity of nature.

Forests, providing a peaceful and tranquil space for remembrance.

Nature preserves, honoring the connection between the deceased and the earth.

Natural Grave Markers: Rather than using conventional headstones, families may choose:

Natural stones that blend seamlessly into the environment.

Wooden plaques made from sustainable materials.

Unique Ways to Honor Loved Ones

Families looking for creative and meaningful ways to remember their loved ones can consider:

Planting Memorial Trees: This not only honors the memory of the deceased but also supports the environment by giving back to nature.

Creating Biodegradable Keepsakes: Mementos made from natural materials can decompose over time, symbolizing the cycle of life.

Dedicating Nature Trails: Establishing a nature trail in memory of a loved one provides a lasting tribute that others can appreciate and enjoy.

Scattering Remains: For families who opt for aquamation, scattering ashes in designated natural areas creates a lasting connection between the deceased and the environment, allowing their memory to live on in the natural world.

By choosing these eco-friendly memorial options, families create a legacy that honors their loved ones while preserving the environment.

Environmental Impact of Green Options

Environmental Benefits

Green resting place options offer several key environmental advantages over traditional burial and cremation. Here’s how they positively impact the ecosystem:

Reduction of Chemical Use: Traditional burials and cremation often involve embalming fluids containing chemicals like formaldehyde, which can seep into the soil and contaminate groundwater. In contrast, green options avoid embalming entirely, eliminating the risk of harmful chemicals entering the environment.

Biodegradable Materials: In a green burial, families use biodegradable caskets or shrouds made from natural materials like wood, bamboo, or cotton. Unlike conventional caskets, which are often made from metal or plastic and can take decades to decompose, these materials break down quickly, returning nutrients to the soil and supporting plant life.

Minimal Land Disturbance: Natural burial grounds prioritize minimal land disturbance. These sites remain in their natural state, allowing local ecosystems to thrive. This contrasts with traditional cemeteries, which require extensive land preparation, including mowing and landscaping, that can disrupt wildlife habitats.

Carbon Footprint Reduction: The carbon footprint of a natural burial, aquamation, or composting is significantly lower than that of a traditional burial. The absence of harmful biproducts, reduced land maintenance, and the use of eco-friendly materials all contribute to fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Support for Conservation Efforts: Many green burial grounds are located in areas dedicated to environmental conservation. By choosing a naural burial, individuals contribute to land preservation efforts, ensuring the protection of natural habitats for future generations. This creates a lasting positive impact on local ecosystems and biodiversity.

Wildlife Habitat Preservation: Green burial sites often serve as sanctuaries for local wildlife. By preserving these areas in their natural state, natural burials protect wildlife habitats, allowing flora and fauna to thrive undisturbed by traditional cemetery practices.

Challenges and Considerations

While green options offer numerous environmental benefits, they may not be available in all areas. Natural burial grounds and conservation sites are limited in some regions, and certain states may have legal restrictions regarding green services.

Additionally, misconceptions about the cost and legality of green options can create confusion for families. However, Repose makes it easy to navigate eco-friendly options in your area, allowing families to overcome these barriers and find sustainable options that meet both their personal and environmental goals.

Myths and Misconceptions About Green Options

Debunking Common Myths

As interest in green options grow, so do the myths and misconceptions surrounding them. 

Here are some common myths to clarify the reality of eco-friendly funerals:

Myth: Natural burials are illegal.

Reality: Natural burials are legal in many states across the U.S. While regulations may vary, numerous cemeteries and burial grounds are specifically designed for green burials.

Myth: Green options are too expensive.

Reality: Green options are often more affordable than traditional resting place options. Without the need for embalming, elaborate caskets, or costly burial vaults, families can choose simpler, biodegradable options, significantly reducing costs. Additionally, green burial sites often have lower maintenance expenses, which can result in further savings.

Myth: Green options don’t provide any memorialization options.

Reality: Green funerals offer numerous meaningful memorialization options. Families can choose natural grave markers, like trees or stones, and hold memorial services in serene settings such as gardens or nature preserves. These alternatives not only honor the deceased but also create a lasting tribute that resonates with nature.

Myth: Green funerals are only for environmentally conscious individuals.

Reality: While green options naturally attract those with eco-conscious values, they can appeal to anyone seeking a simple and natural approach to end-of-life care. Many families, regardless of environmental beliefs, appreciate the sustainable practice of returning loved ones to the earth in a respectful and natural way.

Myth: You can’t have a funeral service with a natural burial or other green options.

Reality: Green options do not preclude holding a funeral service. Families can arrange traditional services, memorial gatherings, or celebrations of life either. The key distinction lies in the method of laying your loved one to rest, which focuses on environmentally friendly practices while still allowing for meaningful, personalized farewells. 

Conclusion: Choosing a Sustainable Legacy

Green funerals and eco-friendly resting place options provide a deeply meaningful way to honor loved ones while caring for the planet. By choosing natural, sustainable practices, families create a lasting legacy that not only reflects their values but also contributes to a healthier, more sustainable environment for future generations.

Whether you’re planning for yourself or a loved one, this guide offers the tools and knowledge needed to make thoughtful and informed decisions about eco-friendly end-of-life options. At Repose, we are here to support you through every step of this journey, helping you create an environmentally-conscious plan with care and compassion during this difficult time.