A green or natural burial emphasizes simplicity, and the return of the body to nature, causing minimal environmental impact. A hundred and fifty years ago most burials were in fact, what we now call ‘green’.  

 

Green burial does not use any toxic materials. The body is not prepared with embalming fluids and is placed in the earth inside a fully biodegradable coffin or shroud. A green burial would not use ‘vaults’, a concrete, metal or plastic structure the coffin is placed inside that prevents the earth above the coffin from sinking. This is common practice and done entirely for the convenience of the cemetery lawn mowers.   

 

Green burial is gaining popularity because they tend to be lower in cost and do far less damage to the environment. A green burial’s goal is complete decomposition allowing the body to recycle naturally into nature.

 

For more information about green burial, funeral alternatives, and death care information, please click here to go to our resource page.