Dying is certainly one of the most natural acts in the world, although most of us would rather not think about the connection. The natural cycle of life on earth since the beginning of time involves the returning of dead organisms to the soil, and ultimately being recycled into new life. If you are an advocate of green living, green dying makes perfect sense. But what does it mean to have a green funeral, or burial?

A green (or natural) burial involves ensuring that the burial site is as natural as possible. No embalming fluid is used, and interment of the body done in a bio-degradable casket, shroud, or special blanket. The body is placed into the earth without the use of chemicals, concrete or other resources, and native plants and trees placed above the final resting place. Typically, you will have to find a cemetary that specializes in green burials, as burial generally has many laws and restrictions due to the fact that you are dealing with a body, thus it is critical to ensure that your plan is legal.

Here are some annual statistics for burials in the United States that frankly can make you cringe. These materials are buried in the ground each year in the U.S. alone:

• 827,060 gallons of embalming fluid
• 90,272 tons of steel (caskets)
• 30 million cubic feet of hardwood (caskets)
• 2700 tons of copper and bronze (caskets)
• 1,636,000 tons of concrete (vaults)

Green is definitely “in”, a buzzword with a variety of meanings for each individual conservationist. A little bit of internet research using keywords “green funerals” or “green burials” indicates that these are growing trends, and are catching on in popularity nationwide. Perhaps one of the most eco-friendly ways to handle your last wishes is cremation, which is the choice of many individuals these days.  Both a natural burial and cremation are more eco-friendly, and generally cost-effective ways to handle the end-of-life process than traditional burial.

For more information about green burials, go to the Green Burial Council website, which is a non-profit organization supporting sustainable green burials. Another excellent resource available to readers is the Centre for Natural Burial.

Readers, have you known anybody who has had a natural burial? Were they satisfied with the outcome (LOL)? OK, I guess we can’t answer that, but how did you feel about the choice?

Cindy Green Living cremation, eco-friendly burial, green burial, green cemetary, green dying, green funeral, green living, natural burial