Due to the rising desire for eco-friendly and sustainable practices, green funeral services and burials have become a modern trend and one that’s expected to become more popular in the coming years.
Your typical funeral service usually involves a few expected components, such as a coffin or casket, embalming, and beautifying of the deceased loved one, plenty of flower arrangements, and personal touches added throughout the ceremony.
So, what is the difference between a traditional funeral service, like the one described above, and an eco-friendly (aka green or natural) funeral service?
What is a Green or Eco-Friendly Burial?
Take away most of the traditional, unsustainable aspects of a funeral and you’re left with a green burial. All green burials and funeral services involve eco-friendly options for items ranging from the casket to the funeral service, the burial, and even the cemetery itself. The degree of “eco-friendliness” is left up to the family members, but a typical eco-friendly funeral may look something like this:
- No embalming or using formaldehyde-free embalming
- Use of recycled, biodegradable products
- Sourcing local, real flower arrangements
- Serving organic refreshments
- Maintaining the natural environment
- No concrete vaults or non-degradable caskets
- Wrapping the body in biodegradable clothing, shroud, etc.
Other than their green nature, there are several other benefits to having a natural burial as well. If you’re on the fence about going for a traditional or eco-friendly burial to honor the life of your loved one, take a look at these benefits of going green first.
Lower Costs and Simplicity
Since eco-friendly funerals don’t usually involve vaults, extravagant coffins, or added extras, it makes the process very minimal, natural, and simple. Where a traditional funeral service can cost thousands of dollars, having an eco-friendly funeral service can therefore help reduce some of the fees.
Eliminates Harmful Substances
Traditionally, bodies are prepared with embalming fluid which is made from chemicals like formaldehyde. Removing the use of these embalming chemicals from the process is one of the most common ways to make a funeral more eco-friendly.
Preserving Nature
In traditional funerals, common materials used include hardwood, copper, steel, and cement, whereas green burials eliminate waste and typically use biodegradable or minimal coffins or caskets.
Do I Need to Use a Green Cemetery to Have an Eco-Friendly Funeral Service?
It is entirely possible to conduct a green funeral service and burial without burying your loved one in a designated eco-friendly cemetery.
Your loved one deserves to be cherished and celebrated. A green burial is an ideal option for those who want to practice environmental consciousness and sustainability while making sure their loved one is properly taken care of and honored at the same time. If you have any questions about how we can help you with a green service take a look at our website or reach out to us here.