When we consciously make decisions each day to live a green lifestyle, it makes sense that our sensibilities would follow us to the grave. As some say (and heard the words at some point yesterday, maybe), "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust..." Well, here now we're getting literal.
Natural burials and biodegradable coffins are gaining popularity in the U.S., and they're touted as an even more eco-friendly way to exit this life than cremation. So what does a natural burial entail?
A natural burial is exactly that--it cuts out the formaldehyde from embalming, cement and steel and unsustainably logged hardwoods from coffins, chemicals used in lawn treatments, and intrusive grave markers. Instead, compostable coffins, made from recycled paper or locally harvested woods, are buried and marked with natural tributes to a person's life; a tree planted in their honor and memory, or perhaps a native stone engraved for them. They're allowed to decompose au naturale and give back to the earth.
For more information about natural burials, check out these articles and sites:
• Natural Burial in the U.S.A.
• Sustainablog article
Photo via Creative Coffins.
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Comments (4)
Morbidly enough, I was just contemplating this very subject the other day. Interesting to know that natural coffins are more gentle to the environment than cremation.
even before the big 'green' movement I remember thinking that it was odd and silly to put someone in a sealed box in the ground, (a very fancy, expensive box that will only be seen once, at that), and interrupt the 'circle of life'. what a huge cost, both to family memebers and the environment. hopefully this will be permanent and increasing trend!
and it makes sense that it's more eco-friendly that cremation: it take a lot of energy to burn a body-- energy that's wasted-- and doesn't really produce or contribute to anything.
It's my understanding that orthodox Jewish burials use as simple and biodegradable container as is legally permitted (which varies by jurisdiction).
The people of the Parsi faith in India have a system of departure, if you will, that may seem horrendous to outsiders but works with the most ancient of biogeochemical cycles. They take their dead to the Tower of Silence and leave the corpses for the birds and scavengers. A different sort of communion, if you will. That worked until the vultures started disapperaing due to disease and pollution and the quick disposal of the corpses became an issue. Now the dwindling community in Mumbai must decide how to dispose of their loved ones without going against their faith.
Like my mother, I will ensure that the least harm is done to the earth when I go. I respect the ways of all faiths to leave the earth, but I wonder if the soul really needs the remnants of the body to rise again.