Help the earth—and save money, too
June 5, 2019 Walecia Konrad
My husband’s uncle
died shortly before Christmas this year, so along with the candle-lit tree and
cozy family dinner, we said goodbye to a dear relation and friend.
Uncle Tom was a
one-of-a-kind person who was enviably true to his beliefs. An activist, war-tax
resister, and small town dentist, he did no small share of pro bono work in his
rural Berkshires hometown.
So we weren’t
entirely surprised to learn Uncle Tom’s send-off would also be unique. He had
chosen a green burial.
Green, also known as
natural or simple, burials are a fast-growing segment of the funeral business.
While only about 5% of today’s burials are green, about 72% of cemeteries are
reporting an increased demand for
the practice, according to a survey from the National Funeral Directors
Association (NFDA).
In the same survey,
almost 54% of Americans said they would consider green burial options.
A natural return to the earth
Strictly defined, a
green burial doesn’t put anything into the earth that doesn’t decompose.
That means forgoing
the typical steel, concrete, copper and bronze used for coffins and vaults.
Instead of a traditional coffin, a biodegradable option such as a shroud or
plain pine or cardboard box is used.
Most
green burials also skip embalming, which is done mainly for cosmetic reasons,
and essentially dumps gallons of toxic chemicals into the earth each year.
Some natural funerals
go further and try to preserve and restore the surrounding land to create a
more natural environment, according to Edward Bixby, president of the Green
Burial Council, a non-profit group that certifies green funeral providers.
Green burials are
also becoming an alternative to cremation, which accounts for about 50% of the
funeral business, says Bixby. “People often choose cremation because they think
it is the only alternative to a traditional burial,” he explains.
But cremation has its
own environmental hazards, including using an outsized amount of energy and
potentially releasing toxins when ashes are spread. “When people realize
this they take a closer look at green burials,” says Bixby.
Rethinking the
rituals
Natural burials have
a built-in advantage over traditional ones when it comes to cost.
Your loved ones can
expect to pay significantly less for a natural burial than the $8,500 median
cost of a funeral, says the NFDA, due to the lack of fancy vaults and coffins
as well as embalming, viewing and other funeral service fees.
The one exception is
the plot itself: Real estate is real estate.
You should, however,
do some legwork up front to make sure your wishes are followed.
Since green burials
are still a tiny part of the business, it’s important to scout out providers
and cemeteries yourself, instead of leaving the job to loved ones during a
difficult time, says Bixby.
Scout out providers and cemeteries
yourself, instead of leaving the job to loved ones during a difficult time.
Fortunately, because
of the budding interest, an increasing number of conventional cemeteries are
offering green burial areas within their parameters, charging the same or
slightly lower fees for individual plots as they do for traditional burials.
You can find more
information about green burials, and a list of certified providers in your
area, at the Green Burial Council’s website.
A natural burial can
also be an opportunity for your loved ones to create new, meaningful rituals
around death.
After Uncle Tom died,
two of his sons spent the holiday building his simple but elegant pine coffin.
The plot, dug by green burial volunteers, was on the crest of a beautiful hill
that shared space with a traditional, if remote, cemetery.
Even on a weirdly
foggy winter day, we knew we were somewhere special and looked forward to a
spring or summer visit when we could truly appreciate the landscape.
No comments:
Post a Comment