About 5.3 million gallons of embalming fluid is used every year in the U.S. The traditional practice of embalming also exposes funeral home workers to formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.
cemeteries bury over 30 million feet of hardwood and 90,000 tons of steel in caskets, 17,000 tons of steel and copper in vaults, and 1.6 million tons of reinforced concrete in vaults. Here’s Joe Sehee, founder of the GBC: "Green burial may sound like another trend of the eco-chic, but it’s actually the way most of humanity has cared for its dead for thousands of years."Įach year, U.S. In fact, from a historical perspective, they’re just coming back in style. Why Would I “Go Green” for My Funeral?Įco-friendly funerals aren’t just another green fad. As far as the earth is concerned, the less contamination, the better. Natural materials prevent contamination of the soil from any synthetic, toxic, or non-degradable materials. The goal of green burial is to allow the body to return to the earth through natural decomposition using a minimal amount of earth-friendly materials in the process. Graves tend to be dug to a shallower depth, without a cement liner or vault. It can be preserved in a chilled environment until a public or private viewing (if desired), then buried in a biodegradable coffin or shroud.
In a green burial, the body is not embalmed. The embalming process drains bodily fluids and replaces them with chemical solutions that slow the decomposition of tissue. Traditional burial practices often involve embalming (preserving) the body prior to an open casket viewing. In simple terms, a green funeral is a burial with the lowest environmental impact possible. Let’s begin to explore some ways in which you can stay true to your environmental values even after death. Other emerging options involve new products and processes that can green our final footprint in innovative ways. Some of these options involve returning to simpler practices that have existed for millennia, such as direct earth burial. The options available for “greener” death care are growing, and today, you have many to consider. If you care deeply about your impact on the environment, you may be wondering how your own burial plays a role. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We also may earn commission from purchases made through affiliate links. We follow a strict editorial process to provide you with the best content possible.
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