Going ‘Green’ for your Funeral?

Posted on July 23, 2018 by Lifesong Funerals under Uncategorized
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More recently, Americans are exploring the direction of “green” burials. Contact LifeSong to explore the options that best fit your needs.

 

 

 

 

 

There are many ways to embark on the journey to the great beyond. For most of American history, there have been a few staples we’ve come to expect of funerals: a coffin of choice, subdued flower arrangements, a grave-site burial and the traditional granite headstone.

However, these staples aren’t necessarily needed in honoring our loved ones.

More recently, Americans are exploring the direction of “green” burials.

The rising trend of “green” funerals has to do with a growing effort to “green-ify” the burial process. Green burials do away with both the embalming chemicals and the extraneous cement, steel or other non-biodegradable materials conventional burials put into the earth and lack the carbon footprint of cremation.

Consider this: Typical American funerals are responsible each year for over 30 million board feet of casket wood, 90,000 tons of steel, 1.6 million tons of concrete for burial vaults and 800,000 gallons of embalming fluid. Cremation can be an environmental shocker of it’s own with the incineration process emitting dioxin, hydrochloric acid, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide.

“Green cremation” processes including liquid cremation (or alkaline hydrolysis) claims to be one of the least damaging methods for the environment and ‘possibly the most peaceful way to be put to rest’ (However, this process is legal in only 14 states, and at this point is quite costly.).

Forgoing a funeral or memorial service is often seen as the easiest and most cost effective alternative. However, the least expensive choice is not always the best one. Grief experts universally agree that having a ceremony for your departed is a significant part of the healing process.

If cremation is the right option, there are limitless eco-friendly options that can be used in honoring the dead. From bio-degradable urns for water burials to eco-friendly urns for earth burials (often made from hemp, cardboard, or bark), green burial products are easily obtainable.

Reasons for choosing one type of burial over another are as varied as you can imagine, but for many people it can come down to cost, environmental impact and legacy. Each option has its pros and cons, and it is important to consider the individual’s situation and honor their beliefs. Cremation, for example would still be a better choice than using a green cemetery miles and miles away if your carbon footprint is a concern.

In the end, the impact you leave on the environment after you die is far less important than the footprint you leave while you’re still alive. Contact Lifesong to explore the options that best fit your needs.

Lifesong Funerals

We have nearly twenty years serving families of all backgrounds. These families turn to us in their time of need because they are aware that we are leaders in our vocation, have the highest level of integrity and are committed to providing quality service.

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