What are green funerals?

April 29, 2023

What are green funerals?

A tree on top of a hill with the sun shining through the trees.

As concerns for the environment continue to grow, more and more people are considering how their final arrangements impact the planet. Green funerals, also known as eco-funerals or natural burials, have become increasingly popular in the United States as a way to minimize the environmental impact of traditional funerals.

Green funerals are a type of funeral that focuses on minimizing the environmental impact of a person’s death. This means that the body is buried in a way that allows it to decompose naturally without the use of embalming chemicals or other products that can harm the environment. Typically, the body is placed in a biodegradable casket or shroud and buried in a designated green burial cemetery. This process allows the body to return to the earth in a way that is both respectful and sustainable.

How are green funerals different from traditional funerals?

Traditional funerals often involve embalming the body with chemicals to preserve it and placing it in a casket made of non-biodegradable materials. This process can be harmful to the environment.

In contrast, green funerals prioritize environmental sustainability and simplicity. The body is not embalmed, and a biodegradable casket or shroud is used. Instead of a traditional headstone, a tree or plant is often used to mark the grave, which can serve as a beautiful and living memorial to the person who has passed away.

What are the benefits of a green funeral?

Green funerals offer several benefits to both the environment and the bereaved. For the environment, green funerals help reduce the carbon footprint of traditional burials. Cremations emits a lot of carbon into the atmosphere, as does a traditional funeral through the making of the casket etc. According to the Green Burial Council , a traditional funeral emits around 250 pounds of carbon into the atmoshphere, which is roughly equivalent to a 300-mile trip in a car.

By avoiding the use of embalming chemicals and non-biodegradable materials, green funerals can help protect local ecosystems and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. Additionally, green burial cemeteries often prioritize conservation efforts, such as planting native trees and restoring natural habitats, which can have a positive impact on the surrounding environment.

For the bereaved, green funerals offer a way to honor the memory of their loved one in a way that is both respectful and sustainable. Many people find comfort in the idea that their loved one’s body will return to the earth in a way that supports the natural world. Additionally, the simplicity of green funerals can help reduce the financial burden of traditional funerals, which can be expensive and emotionally overwhelming.

Are there any drawbacks to green funerals?

A typical eco-friendly burial takes place in forested areas, ecotones (transitional areas between two types of vegetation, such as grasslands and forest) or in meadows. These areas are generally not easy to access and there are generally no gravestones. This can make it difficult for grieving families who want to visit a specific site on important days such as their loved one’s birthday. Some experts in grief believe this might impede the grieving process, but there are other ways to have a physical reminder of your loved one.

Are green funerals offered in Rhode Island?

The Ellipse at Swan Point Cemetery offers a third of an acre for green burials. Prudence Memorial Park on Prudence Island also offers a limited number of burial plots.

What is the future of green funerals?

Green funerals offer a sustainable and respectful way to say goodbye to a loved one. As the world continues to prioritize sustainability, it is likely that green funerals will become an increasingly popular choice for those looking to support the health of the planet.

As of right now, there aren’t many options for green funerals in Rhode Island, but there are other ways that you can “greenify” you or your loved ones funeral:

You can use eco-friendly products such as biodegradable urns, caskets made of bamboo, willow or recycled materials, and plant-based inks for printed materials like the funeral program.
Cremations use less resources than traditional funerals, but there is still an environmental impact.This will become less as more crematoriums switch to clean energy.
Consider offsetting the carbon emissions associated with the funeral by making a donation to a carbon offset program or planting trees in you or your loved ones memory. Here are the six best carbon offset programs of 2023 according to Treehugger.
Something that became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic was virtual funerals. Virtual funerals can still be offered for anyone who might have to travel long distances in order to attend. It can also allow more people to attend the funeral who may not have been able to do so otherwise.
In lieu of flowers, you can ask mourners to donate to an environmental cause that you or your loved one are passionate about.

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What are green funerals?