These Are the 5 Principles of a Green Funeral
By Beth Rush
Green funerals are an increasingly popular way to say goodbye to loved ones while being mindful of the environment. They strip away many wasteful and harmful practices traditionally associated with funerals, focusing on sustainability, simplicity, and harmony with nature.
If you’re curious about what makes a green burial distinct, it all comes down to five core principles that help protect the planet while celebrating life.
What Is a Green Burial?
A green burial is an eco-conscious alternative to traditional funeral practices, designed to minimize the environmental impact of laying someone to rest. Unlike conventional burials that involve embalming, cement vaults, and hardwood or metal caskets, a green burial avoids materials and processes that are harmful to the earth.
By returning the body to the soil in the most natural way possible, green burials allow for a gentle and organic decomposition process, restoring and sustaining the surrounding ecosystem.
Traditional funerals can have significant environmental consequences, from using toxic embalming chemicals to extracting natural resources for coffins and grave vaults. Embalming fluids also contain harmful substances, which can leach into the ground, while metal and wood caskets consume finite resources and take decades to break down.
Additionally, the concrete used in burial vaults contributes to high carbon emissions during production. Green burials aim to counter these effects by promoting sustainability and reducing the overall ecological footprint of end-of-life practices.
Principles of a Green Funeral
A green burial is built around principles that align with a commitment to sustainability and respect for nature. These key aspects guide every step of the process, ensuring the funeral honors the deceased and the environment. Here are the core principles:
> Sustainability
Green funerals focus on sustainability. Every element of the funeral, from the materials used to the processes followed, is designed with environmental conservation in mind. This means opting for natural, biodegradable materials like cotton shrouds or wicker coffins, avoiding synthetic materials that take centuries to break down.
A green funeral minimizes waste by reducing unnecessary embellishments and ensuring that whatever is used will return to the earth in a non-toxic and harmless way.
> Non-Toxic and Natural Processes
Traditional funerals and burials often use embalming chemicals like formaldehyde to preserve the body, which can seep into the soil and pollute groundwater. In green funerals, toxic embalming chemicals are avoided. Instead, natural preservation methods, such as refrigeration or dry ice, are used to keep the body in its natural state. Environmentally friendly lotions and disinfectants can also preserve the body.
This protects the environment from harmful pollutants and allows the body to decompose naturally. By prioritizing non-toxic processes, a green burial ensures the earth remains uncontaminated.
> Resource Conservation
A green funeral strongly emphasizes conserving natural resources. Traditional funerals often involve concrete vaults, elaborate caskets made from hardwoods, and extensive use of energy-intensive machinery.
In contrast, green burials use eco-friendly and minimalistic materials, avoiding hardwood, metals, and non-biodegradable products. By reducing resource consumption and opting for simple, natural elements, sustainable funerals ensure the footprint you leave behind is as tiny as possible.
> Connection With Nature
Green burials often strengthen the connection between meadows and the natural world. They may occur outdoors, in natural burial grounds, meadows, or forests. Many people find this setting comforting, as it symbolizes the natural cycle of life and death. It’s also a good idea if the deceased experienced a spiritual connection to nature or the land.
Sustainable funerals might also incorporate personal rituals, like planting a tree or scattering wildflower seeds, to honor the deceased in a way that gives back to the earth.
> Eco-Friendly Transport
Transportation is another key aspect of a green funeral. The transportation industry is responsible for 28% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. While long-distance transportation of the body and mourners can contribute to carbon emissions, a green funeral seeks to minimize this impact. Many people choose to hold the ceremony close to home, reducing the need for extensive travel. In some cases, eco-friendly vehicles like electric or hybrid cars are used for the procession.
Alternatively, the funeral may take place in natural settings like conservation areas, eliminating the need for a large funeral home or chapel. Funeral services can also be streamed for those who live too far away to attend, further saving on emissions.
Why Choose a Sustainable Burial?
Choosing a green burial is a decision rooted in respect for the environment and the desire to minimize one’s impact on the planet, even in death. As more people seek sustainable lifestyles, it’s only natural to consider how our end-of-life choices affect the earth. Here’s why a green burial might be the right choice for you or a loved one:
> Green burial grounds often function as nature preserves, protecting land from overdevelopment and supporting local ecosystems.
> Green funerals significantly lower carbon emissions by eliminating chemical processes and using biodegradable materials.
> These burials restore soil health and encourage the growth of native plants.
> With fewer materials and less elaborate services, green burials tend to be more affordable.
> Many find comfort in the idea of returning to the earth naturally, fostering a spiritual connection to the cycle of life.
Honor a Loved One Consciously
A green funeral offers a meaningful way to honor a loved one while being conscious of the planet. Focusing on sustainability and natural processes, these funerals provide a respectful and environmentally responsible alternative to traditional practices. For those who value leaving a smaller footprint and returning to the earth in the most natural way possible, a green funeral is a beautiful way to say goodbye.
About the author: Beth Rush is the green wellness editor at Body+Mind, where she covers topics like the power of climate consciousness at all stages of education. You can find Beth on Twitter @bodymindmag. Subscribe to Body+Mind for more posts by Beth!