It may seem niche, but an increasing number of people are looking for ways to preserve the planet with end-of-life celebrations. In this way, green funerals are becoming a popular alternative to traditional funeral services. These celebrations focus on sustainability, and allow the deceased to be honoured in a thoughtful way which also protects the planet. In this blog, we share some advice for planning a green funeral. Please keep reading to find out more.
What Is A Green Funeral?
A green funeral is a more eco-friendly approach to a standard funeral service. It is an environmentally friendly way of honouring a loved one after they have passed away. They aim to reduce causing environmental harm by using natural or biodegradable materials wherever possible, particularly for caskets and coffins.
Biodegradable Materials
Selecting a coffin or casket made from natural materials, such as willow, is an excellent choice for green funerals. Additionally, untreated wood can also be a suitable material to ensure no harmful chemicals are being put into the earth. We only use willow for our sustainable source such as Musgrove Willows in Somerset.
Another way to incorporate biodegradable materials into the funeral is by having the service order made from recycled paper, our printer uses mainly recycled paper for ours. Additionally, you could also limit the use of plastic flowers and synthetic grave markers to further lower your carbon footprint
Where To Host A Green Funeral Service
Green funerals often take place in natural burial grounds, such as forests and wooded areas. Some people even chose to plant trees and bury their loved one nearby as a tribute to their memory. However, remember to obtain permission from the land owner ahead of the funeral itself. One such site that we use is West Mill Burial Ground in Watchfield.
Consider A Natural Burial
If you’re deciding between cremation or a natural burial, looking at the environmental impacts of each can help you to make a decision. Whilst traditional cremation can use a significant amount of energy and emits greenhouse gasses, bio-cremation is a more eco-friendly practice. This is because it uses water and chemicals to break down the body. On the other hand, natural burials allow a body to decompose in the earth without the need for chemicals. In turn, a natural burial is the most sustainable option. No matter what, it is best to consider the views of your loved one, and allow them to be put to rest in the way they would have wanted and possibly asked for.
Please get in touch with Karen or I to discuss our funeral services.