There are a lot of ways to be eco-friendly. You can make small changes like switching to reusable shopping bags, using bamboo cutlery, and replacing disposable coffee cups.
But you can also be eco-conscious at your death by choosing a green burial option. A natural or green funeral involves a burial without embalming or a casket and instead uses a shroud or biodegradable container
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Unlike the typical concrete vault, green burials require a shroud or casket made of biodegradable material. The burial site is often in a natural setting that is not paved or landscaped. The body is buried without embalming to return to the earth in a state of natural rigor mortis and re-enters the soil ecosystem as a source of nutrients for plants and animals.
Conversely, cremation burns up the remains and releases a lot of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Many families find that a green burial option is more in line with the wishes of their loved ones, as it allows them to say goodbye in nature.
Choosing trusted green burial providers near me with the proper certifications is essential. You can look for a GBC Certified Provider on the Green Burial Council website or a search engine like Google.
If you choose a green burial, the body will be buried in an earth-friendly casket or shroud rather than a traditional manufactured one. Following nature preservation guidelines, the burial will occur in a natural or conservation burial ground.
These grounds do not allow concrete vaults or non-biodegradable containers and do not use toxic embalming fluid or chemicals. In addition, they preserve or restore natural habitats.
Green funeral services can also be a bit more cost-effective than conventional ones because they do not involve the costly elements of traditional planning such as the formaldehyde-based embalming fluid, the refrigeration of a dead body or ashes, store-bought imported flowers and a fancy headstone, and expensive grave-digging with machinery. The burial will be at a depth of 3-4 feet so that bacteria can feed on the remains and decompose them quickly, and the burial site will not be disturbed by animals.
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Green burial might be the perfect option if you’re looking for a way to cut down on environmental impacts. It can save you money on toxic embalming chemicals and costly caskets while helping the land stay as pristine as possible.
Conventional burials require a lot of resources, including metal and hardwood caskets with adornments, as well as concrete vaults. In contrast, a green burial only requires biodegradable caskets, urns, or shrouds. It also excludes using liners and vaults and traditional funeral events like church services and viewings.
The process also eliminates embalming, which uses harmful and toxic chemicals that can leak into the ground and water.
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The aspects of traditional burial that green funerals aim to do away with—toxic embalming fluids that leach into the soil, concrete vaults, and non-biodegradable caskets—are some of the most money-guzzling. By cutting costs on these items, you can often find green burial options that are much more affordable than traditional ones.
In addition to avoiding toxic chemicals, green burials eliminate the need for expensive caskets and burial vaults, church services, flowers, grave-digging with machinery, and more. Many families also choose to have their cremated remains scattered rather than buried. This option is less expensive than burial but requires a casket and marker.
