Green Burial: An unconventional way to save nature

The world is definitely going the Green way with a lot of organizations adopting Eco-friendly methods, ban on plastic, emphasis on green buildings and so on. Much has been done for greener ways of living. Right from our daily routine, to the way we work to our weekend party- everything is making rapid changes to fit into a more natural life style. But have we ever wondered about our after-life? Well, it’s not a cliché debate about the possibility of life-after-death, but chance to convey a message even after death. Green burial is definitely a fitting end to the souls that wept for Mother Nature.

Eco-friendly Funeral:

For all those people who have lived an environment friendly life, this type of burial is just the perfect way to Rest In Peace (RIP). It is quite popular in the UK and now being followed in the US. Green burial typically involves the use of Eco-friendly materials for the casket. It eliminates the need for embalming fluids, which release harmful substances to the environment as the body decomposes.

Materials used for the coffins:

Cardboard and paper are the most common materials used for making the coffin, while bamboo and willow also offer good replacements for the traditional steel caskets. There are cemeteries that specialize in green burial ceremonies.

Burial Plaques:

Green burial involves planting a tree over the buried body. This further emphasizes the dead person’s love for the environment. The tree utilizes the nutrients that decompose from the body for its growth and survival. Green burial also eliminates the need to have a place exclusively for burial, which is visited only on Memorial day. The place would rather be a park with a lot of plants, trees and visitors.

Costs:

Apart from being Eco-friendly, green burial techniques involve much lower costs than the traditional means. The total cost is lower than $1000 as opposed to traditional means that cost over $5000.

Green Burial Council:

This regulatory body is involved in establishing standards for environmental practices while ensuring the dignity of the family is respected. The council aims to reach out to the entire world to explore further possibilities of reducing elimination of toxins and harmful substances.

Sea Burial:

This is an alternative to green burial where the body of the dead is wrapped in a biodegradable material sunk into the sea. The families have to register the death and then procure a license from the local authority prior to preparing the coffin as per standards mentioned by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Although the ritual may seem too minimal a threat to nature, considering 2.5 million people passing away every year in the US, the cumulative effect definitely needs an alternative and Green burial is the right way to go. It also sends a strong message to the world and elevates the dignity of the person who has lost his life. The legacy of the person continues to live in the tree planted atop his body! ‘Go’ Green in every sense of it.

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About the author: Amanda Kidd is a blogger who takes an utmost care while choosing her stuff as she prefers to own only eco friendly accessories. Eco friendly dresses are her top priority when she is on a look out for some really cool & funky outfit to wear.