What is a Green Burial?
As environmental concern continues to rise and our society feels the increasing urgency to take better care of our mother earth, it's no surprise that green and natural burials are increasing in popularity.
What makes a burial "green"?
When it comes to a green burial, there are a few key aspects. First of all, it's important to speak with the burial ground to understand their practices and stewardship. Check to see what kind of maintenance they do on the land, do they use heavy fertilizers and keep the grounds very manicured or do they let it grow naturally? Secondly, a green burial does not use the embalming process but may instead use natural shroads to wrap the body to be placed in the earth. Sometimes dry ice can be used if an open casket ceremony will be held to help preserve the body. Third is the removal of the concrete vaults. Green burials do not use concrete vaults. The last thing to consider is the working conditions of the staff.
What does "Green Burial Council Certified" mean?
There are three levels of green burials with their own standards. This certification verifies that cemetery operators commit to a standard of transparency, accountability, and third party oversight.
What’s wrong with embalming?
Embalming came around during the Civil War, when the bodies of thousands of soldiers needed to be repaired and preserved before being shipped home. The chemicals involved have a negative environmental impact and if the body does not need to be shipped or preserved for a long period, embalming may not be necessary at all.
Embalming, though a popular option, uses formaldehyde. This is a carcinogen proven to contribute to health risks in funeral homes. It's no coincidence that funeral directors have a much higher risk of myeloid leukemia according to the National Cancer Institute.
According to the Property and Environment Research Center, in 2007 we buried more than 5 million gallons of embalming fluid in the United States alone.
Fortunately, there are now several formaldehyde-free embalming options, including one made entirely of nontoxic and biodegradable essential oils.
How do I know that a particular product is suitable for a green burial?
Genearally, natural shrouds, urns, and caskets align with green burial regulations as long as they're made from nontoxic and biodegradable materials. How the materials are harvested and prepared also play into the GBC's criteria of what is and is not a green option. You can learn more about green materials here.
What about Cremation?
Though cremation takes up less land, it uses a lot of fossil fuel. This non-renewable resource is needed to burn temperatures over 1100 degrees celsius for 2-3 hours and emits chemicals with yet unknown impact. The amount of energy it takes to cremate one body is equal to the energy needed to drive 4,800 miles according to Bob Butz, author of "Going Out Green: One Man's Adventure Planning His Own Natural Burial."
You can learn a lot more about green burials at the Green Burial Counsel.
If you're interested in working with a home funeral guide who can offer a lot more information about green burial options in your area, check out our featured Home Funeral Guides here.