What is a “Green Burial”?
Traditional burial has been a common means of disposition for time immemorial. Today, it typically involves embalming, the body’s enclosure in a casket, and burial underground within a concrete vault. However, many people are looking for more environmentally-friendly options for burial, whether they are planning for a loved one or for their own final arrangements. Your funeral home near Lake Nona, FL, may be able to offer some of these options for green burial. Not every green burial is the same, but there are a few different aspects that can be addressed.
Traditional burial caskets can be made of a variety of different materials. Many of them are made from things like metal and treated wood. Unfortunately, some of these items are not biodegradable, and some of the chemicals used to treat the wood can be harmful to the environment. A green burial would involve the use of only biodegradable materials, typically an untreated wood casket or a shroud made of a natural fiber like cotton or linen. These items are much more natural, and will easily break down back into the soil as nature intends.
Embalming is another aspect of burial that is not particularly eco-friendly. Many of the chemicals used in the traditional embalming process, including formaldehyde, are toxic to the earth. A green burial would avoid using the traditional methods of embalming, opting for something less harmful. One example would be the use of refrigeration only, with a closed-casket funeral. There are also other non-toxic methods of embalming that can be explored. In this way, you ensure that no harmful chemicals are used or buried in the soil.
Not every cemetery will allow this, but another aspect of green burial is to forgo the typical concrete vault that is used. These concrete vaults prevent the sinking of the earth over time, which helps to maintain a level surface within the cemetery. However, they also prevent the contents from reaching the soil and biodegrading in a natural way. It’s not always possible to forgo the concrete vault, but it’s worth asking about.
Finally, some people have even decided to get rid of the concrete or marble headstone in favor of a more natural grave marker. This might be a tree, special bush, or a patch of wildflowers that reblooms each season. Again, this may not be possible in the cemetery of your choosing, but it is one other way to make your loved one’s grave even more eco-friendly by positively contributing to the local ecosystem.
These are a few ways that you can make your final arrangements more friendly to the environment, which is growing ever more important in our world today. Feel free to ask your local funeral home near Lake Nona, FL, about which ways you can make your or your loved one’s burial “greener”. They will be able to help you explore your options when it comes to the cemetery that you have chosen. Then, you can feel thankful that your choices will make a positive impact on our planet, even after you are gone.
