When It's Time to Leave, Go Green
Greentips: July 2011
For many, reducing environmental harm is a guiding principle in life. But what about in death? Funeral planning is not a topic we like to think about, but traditional burial practices do consume natural resources and can contribute to air and water pollution; cremation, for example, emits toxic substances such as soot, sulfur dioxide, and mercury (from dental fillings). While religious, cultural, or family traditions might shape most of the decision making, planning for a “green” burial in your will can help your loved ones fulfill your wish for a low-impact memorial.
Since green burial practices are not yet widespread, it is important to do some research to find a suitable final resting place. Here are factors to consider:
Embalming fluid. More than 2 million Americans are embalmed each year with a fluid containing carcinogenic formaldehyde and other chemicals that pose a health hazard to workers. No states require embalming, though certain circumstances (such as transporting a body between states or on an airplane) may necessitate it.
Caskets. Caskets, grave liners, and vaults in U.S. cemeteries use more than 30 million board feet of hardwood, 100,000 tons of steel, and 1.6 million tons of concrete each year. You can reduce resource consumption by choosing a cemetery that accepts caskets made from sustainably grown (and less expensive) softwood, bamboo, cardboard, or other biodegradable material—even a simple cotton shroud if permitted by law.
Cemeteries. A small but growing number of the 22,500 U.S. cemeteries offer “green” interment, in which the land is left in its natural state (no watering, pesticides, or mowing) and grave marker options include live plants, trees, or natural fieldstone instead of quarried stone or marble. Others do not require a casket liner.
Cremation. Cremation may be less resource-intensive than traditional burial, but with about one-third of Americans choosing it, the process consumes a lot of energy overall. Cremation produces an average of 350 pounds of heat-trapping carbon dioxide per body. A new, lower-energy method called resomation uses water, heat, pressure, and potassium hydroxide to decompose bodies; the bones that remain are processed into a fine powder that you can scatter or bury in a biodegradable urn. Some companies also mix cremated remains with concrete to form artificial marine reefs that, if well-sited, could provide benefits to marine ecosystems.
