Funeral Products and Services

Funeral Supplies – Green Burials

Green burials are those that can take place without the use of certain elements such as formaldehyde-based embalming, metal caskets, and concrete burial vaults.  These elements have primarily been the way most of humanity has cared for the deceased for thousands of years up until the late 19th century. Green burials have also been commonly used to facilitate ecological restoration and landscape-level conservation.

Does a Green Burial Help Restoration or Conservation?

Natural burial grounds are required to have in place a deed restriction to ensure that a green cemetery now continues to remains one in the future.  Conservation burial grounds have a conservation easement held by an established Land Trust. The key to success is in requiring transparency and accountability, and a system of checks and balances.

Why Do Some Believe Embalming is Damaging?

While there is no end-of-life ritual or disposition option that is considered to be ”wrong”, green burials and green funerals attempt to ensure that burial services and products are available to those families who wish to minimize their environmental impact.  The primary environmental issue that has been addressed with embalming fluid is that it contains formaldehyde, which some people allege can be a “probable” carcinogen according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, and according to the World Health Organization, has also been referred to as a “known carcinogen”.  There have also been allegations and speculation that embalming can potentially create health risks for workers and could also be associated with several diseases such as nasal cancer and leukemia.   As far as what is required in  a burial, there are very few circumstances that actually require embalming by law, including a “funeral with a viewing”.  Some funeral directors make available refrigeration or dry ice as an alternative to embalming.

What are Some Environmental Issues With Burial Vaults?

Originally developed to deter grave robbers in the late 19th century, vaults are required today by many cemeteries in order to help prevent the ground from sinking and markers from moving. There is no state or federal laws requiring the use of a vault, though cemeteries are allowed to have policies that do.  Some conventional cemeteries now offer consumers the option of paying additional amounts of money in an Endowment Care Fund to handle potential maintenance associated with vault-less burial.  Many however, offer vault-less burials at no additional charge. Although the concrete and metal in vaults are considered “natural” to most people, the argument many people have is in the manufacturing and transporting of vaults, which utilizes a tremendous amount of energy and is believed to contribute to 1.6 tons of reinforced concrete being produced.

Is Cremation an Eco-Friendly Form of Disposition?

Cremation uses far fewer resources than almost any other disposition option.  However, many people challenge that it also has an environmental impact and “carbon footprint.”  The actual cremation process also burns large quantities of fossil fuels, and some older cremation facilities can use significantly more energy compared to the newer ones built in today’s modern era.  There is also speculation, although the amount is widely debated, that Mercury is also emitted when a person with dental amalgam fillings is cremated.

How Does a Home Funeral Differ From a Home Burial?

Home funerals allow for families to care for a decedent, including all aspects of a funeral, while at home.  In fact, these home funerals were quite common in the US up until the mid-20th century. A family can facilitate a home funeral on their own; with the assistance of a home funeral practitioner; or in conjunction with a licensed funeral director. Some states require the latter.  Home burial, on the other hand, is an alternative to burial in a cemetery. It’s allowed for in most parts of the country, but usually requires the home to have a minimum level of acreage.  Home burial has historically been most common in rural areas.

Our Preferred Provider – Green Burial Council

Click on this link to learn more about our Preferred Provider: Green Burial Council