How to Plan a Green Funeral: A Stairway to Earth-ernety

In an era when sustainability and environmental awareness hold increasing importance, even our final farewells can become greener and more meaningful.

We will delve into a step-by-step guide on how to plan a green funeral, equipping you with the knowledge and insights necessary to make well-informed decisions.

Planning a green funeral is as easy as planning a traditional service, but if you’ve never done it before, here are steps to follow for arranging an eco-friendly farewell:

Communicate your wishes with your family and friends
Consult with a funeral director who specializes in green funerals
Choose the green burial ground you like
Consider cremation, human composting, or aquamation

And this is not all. Sometimes, a completely green funeral might not be an option, but many elements of a more traditional burial ceremony can be eco-friendly.

Using biodegradable caskets, eco-friendly transportation options, sustainable flowers, decorations and memorials, and eco-conscious catering are but a few of the things to consider.

Definition of Green Funeral

A green funeral, also known as an eco-friendly funeral, is a ceremony that embraces sustainable practices to minimize its impact on the environment.

There’s a strong focus on biodegradable materials, natural burial techniques, and eco-friendly funeral settings.
Biodegradable coffins or shrouds and burial sites that promote native plants actively help preserve the environment.
In contrast, traditional burials often involve embalming (which has toxic fluids), durable caskets made of hardwood or metal, and concrete or metal burial vaults.

First Steps to a Green Funeral

Planning a green funeral involves research. It is a step-by-step incorporation of eco-friendly choices and sustainable practices. In other words, there are degrees of green a funeral can achieve.

Not everyone lives close to a natural burial ground and many regular cemeteries have their unsustainable practices, quite literally, set in stone.
If there are no green cemeteries in your area, you can make a traditional funeral much more eco-friendly.
Nature-inspired elements in funeral arrangements, such as using locally sourced flowers and foliage and minimizing energy usage help a lot.

But before we discuss these practices and ideas in greater detail, you should understand that communication is key.

Communicating Your Wishes

Effective communication is vital when planning a natural funeral or any kind of burial, really. It is not the easiest topic to breach, especially with those close to you.

Be patient with them if they don’t want to discuss your — and theirs — mortality.
If they resist the talk, give them time, then try again.
Be calm and express your eco-friendly preferences through open dialogue.
Educate your loved ones about the meaningfulness of green funerals, as the idea might seem alien to them.
Share your knowledge and values to help them understand and support your choices while fostering a collaborative planning process.
Initiate conversations about minimizing environmental impact and the benefits of eco-conscious funeral practices.
Listen to their perspectives and concerns, and together, explore ways to incorporate sustainable elements into the funeral arrangements.

The best and only way to ensure a farewell that aligns with your values is to effectively communicate your wishes. The conversations won’t always be easy and some natural resistance from those close to you is to be expected, as they’ll struggle to deal with the idea of losing you.

Write Down Your Green Funeral Plans

While a will may not specifically address burial preferences, other end-of-life documents can aid in ensuring your desired arrangements are carried out.

A will is a legal document that dictates what should happen with your assets after death. It involves three basic steps:

Stating your wishes
Appointing an executor
Signing the document

However, in order to have your funeral plans laid out, it is better to create an end-of-life checklist. It helps with other practical matters too, but it can help greatly those close to you to carry out your final wishes in the right manner. Even if you’ve discussed everything in advance, grief and emotional turbulence can lead funeral arrangements astray.

Choosing a Funeral Director who Arranges Green Funerals

A funeral director with experience in green funerals can be of tremendous help. They can advise on the practical, legal, and spiritual aspects surround an econ-friendly burial.

The best way to find a qualified, helpful funeral director is by asking the right questions. To help you make an informed decision, here are a few essential queries to consider when planning your last moments on Earth:

Do you specialize in eco-friendly or green funeral services?
How do you go about it?
What environmentally friendly options do you work with, such as biodegradable caskets or natural burial grounds?
How do you minimize the ecological impact of embalming procedures?
With which certified environmentally-friendly funeral homes in the area do you work?

By asking these questions, you can ensure that your chosen funeral director is knowledgeable about eco-friendly practices. A carefully planned conversation will reveal a lot about the funeral director’s expertise and can bring about new ideas about arrangements and proceedings.

In nine states, the involvement of a funeral director is compulsory by law. They are:

New York
New Jersey
Illinois
Michigan
Connecticut
Iowa
Nebraska
Indiana
Louisiana

Funeral directors help a lot with the necessary paperwork and can advise on alternatives in case a natural burial ground is not an option.

Choosing an Eco-Friendly Burial Grounds

When it comes to eco-frien d ly funerals, selecting a burial ground for the purpose becomes crucial. Most funeral grounds and traditional funeral practices use concrete, metal, and other durable materials to deliver their manicured look.

A direct burial is a simpler and usually faster (avoiding the need for embalming) option that reduces the carbon footprint, but it is not quite the same. Still, it allows time for a memorial service to be prepared thoughtfully and carefully – what is a direct burial? Learn more here.

Eco-burial grounds prioritize sustainable land management practices, native vegetation preservation, and conservation efforts. Such eco-conscious funeral sites allow you to have a funeral without a casket while providing a final resting place and contributing positively to the environment.

By choosing such a burial ground, you can support the restoration and protection of natural landscapes.

Thanks to technological advancements, green burials and cremations offer funeral alternatives that reduce the environmental impact even further.

An environmentally conscious funeral can honor your values, promote the well-being of our planet, and leave a memorable last deed behind you.

Consider Cremation, Aquamation, or Human Composting

It is essential to address apprehensions and acknowledge eco-friendly cremation alternatives exist because the process itself isn’t without its environmental impact.

Cremation presents an opportunity to embrace the eternal cycle of life, as the transformative force of fire symbolizes our connection to the world.

Beyond the profound personal and spiritual implications, cremation also holds considerable environmental advantages.
Cremations actively minimize land usage and safeguard our invaluable natural resources.
The usage of biodegradable urns also grant a sustainable and harmonious final resting place.

Water cremations (or aquamations) are even more eco-friendly than their fiery counterparts.

They are being legally allowed in more and more States, and the process has a minuscule carbon footprint compared to regular cremation.
Although fairly new to Europe, and legal in many countries, the UK will start offering resomation through various providers, such as Co-Op Funerals.

Human composting is arguably the most eco-friendly option of them all.

It allows us to transform from dead matter to organic soil that can give birth to new life.
Cremated ashes have no organic matter to speak of, but composting can turn us into new source of growth.
Seven states – Nevada, New York, Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, and California — already allow it legally, and many more are in the process of legalizing it. The main issue with human composting is finding a facility that actually does it.

The Journey after the Funeral

After the funeral, a new journey unfolds for both the departed and the bereaved.

Below ground, natural body decomposition allows for a return to the earth’s embrace, fostering the cycle of life.
If you’re curious about the duration of the body’s natural preservation in a funeral setting, read more about how long a body lasts in a natural funeral.

Unlike in a traditional setting, where a stone memorial would mark the grave, at a natural burial ground, the grave can be “marked” with a tree or plaque. Tree pod burials are a thing, too.

US: the Living Urn System, starting at $129
UK: the Living Urn System via Amazon starting at £160, or BIOS Cremation Ashes Tree Urn starting at £160.

Above ground, memories and legacies endure, keeping loved ones alive in hearts and minds. It’s a time for healing, growth, and remembrance.

Here are a few pointers to help green funeral and memorial ceremony planning.

Choosing a Biodegradable Casket or Shroud

Selecting a biodegradable casket is a significant step toward returning to earth’s embrace — sustainable materials like bamboo, wicker, and cardboard offer eco-conscious options.

Bamboo provides strength and elegance; wicker exudes natural beauty, while cardboard offers affordability and even greater ease of decomposition.

Here is a table outlining the mentioned materials and their estimated average cost*:

Material	Estimated Average Cost
Bamboo	$500 – $1,000
Wicker	$300 – $600
Cardboard	$100 – $300

*Please note that the estimated average costs are general ranges and can vary based on location, design intricacies, and additional features.

Choose based on personal preferences, cost considerations, and availability in your area. Opting for a biodegradable casket or a green burial shroud ensures a final resting place that blends with nature, reducing the ecological impact. In case there is no green burial ground nearby, consult with the funeral director of choice to see which regular cemetery accepts such coffins or only shrouds

Incorporate Nature-Friendly Elements

Incorporating nature-friendly elements into funeral ceremonies allows us to honor our loved ones even when a full-on green funeral is not a viable option. These natural funeral services and elements can create a meaningful and environmentally sustainable ceremony:

Opt for flower arrangements sourced from local, seasonal species.
Utilize digital invitations to reduce paper waste and carbon footprint.
Minimize waste by providing compostable or recyclable serving ware.
Explore sustainable transportation options, like carpooling or utilizing eco-friendly vehicles.

By embracing these nature-friendly elements, you can craft a unique service or celebration of life event that reflects your loved one’s values and preserves the environment.

Is Carbon-Neutral Funeral a Feasible Thing?

Achieving complete neutrality may be difficult, and present challenges, but there are practical steps you can take to reduce your environmental impact.

Choose a Natural or Green Burial: Opt for a natural burial where the body is not embalmed with toxic chemicals. Use a biodegradable coffin made from materials like bamboo, willow, or cardboard. Natural burial grounds typically encourage the growth of native vegetation over graves rather than traditional headstones.
Minimize Transportation: Choose a burial site close to the deceased’s place of death to reduce carbon emissions associated with transportation. Encourage carpooling among attendees or arrange group transportation to reduce the number of vehicles traveling to the service.
Reduce Energy Use: If holding a memorial service, select a venue that uses renewable energy sources. Consider hosting during daylight hours to minimize the need for artificial lighting.
Eco-friendly Flowers and Decorations: Choose locally sourced, organic flowers, or consider alternatives like potted plants that can be replanted. Avoid plastic decorations and opt for natural materials that can be composted or reused.
Digital Invitations and Memorials: Instead of paper, use digital invitations and create online memorials to reduce paper waste.
Offset Carbon Emissions: Calculate the estimated carbon footprint of the funeral (considering factors like travel, energy use, and materials) and purchase carbon offsets. Carbon offset projects can include reforestation, renewable energy projects, or community-based projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Sustainable Catering: If providing food, choose local, organic, and plant-based options to reduce the carbon footprint. Minimize food waste by accurately estimating the number of attendees.
Donations Instead of Gifts: Encourage donations to environmental charities or projects in lieu of flowers or other material condolences.
Eco-friendly Memorial Items: If distributing keepsakes, choose items made from sustainable materials or offer something intangible, like planting trees in memory of the deceased.
Plan with Providers: Work with funeral providers who specialize in green funerals and can help implement eco-friendly practices throughout the planning process.

On top of providing a last resting place, green burial grounds are evergreen spots that actively contribute to a cleaner future. In other words, while a funeral ceremony would inevitably leave a carbon footprint, what will grow after that will turn it into an oxygen footprint after a little while.Cost of a Green Funeral

Green funerals not only benefit the environment but often provide monetary advantages compared to traditional funerals.

Common green funeral options such as natural burials or biodegradable caskets usually cost significantly less.

For example, a natural green funeral cost can be around:

$1,000 to $4,000 in the US, whereas traditional burial plots can range from $2,000 to $10,000.
£1,300+ in the UK, where as traditional burials average around £9,150 as of 2023.
In the UK, there has been a 26% increase in eco-friendly funerals since 2017 according to Sunlife’s survey. Plus, 45% of local authorities are considering developing new sites in the next 5 years.
Additionally, graveside maintenance expenses at the conservation burial grounds are lower due to the use of native plants and minimal upkeep requirements.

Environmental Impact of No-Casket Funerals

The use of caskets in traditional funeral services has a significant environmental impact.

Non-renewable materials are typically used to make caskets, such as metal or synthetic materials that can take years to decompose, and they can also release harmful chemicals into the soil.
Embalming, which is commonly used in traditional funeral services, can also have negative environmental effects.

In contrast, casket-free burials, with no casket nor embalming, are more eco-friendly.

They use biodegradable materials such as shrouds or caskets made from materials such as bamboo, wicker, or recycled paper.
What’s more, some eco-friendly funeral options also use natural burial sites that follow specific environmental regulations.
By opting for sustainable funeral practices, we can reduce the environmental impact of our final resting place and enrich our planet for future generations.

Conclusion

Understanding how to plan a sustainable funeral is essential to leaving a lasting legacy while becoming one with nature.

The benefits of casket-free burial include reduced environmental impact, lower cost, and a more natural and personal approach to saying goodbye to a loved one

Some challenges may include limited options for burial sites and the need for proper graveside preparation

Overall, a burial without a casket can be a meaningful and sustainable choice for those looking for an alternative to traditional burial services.

Additional Resource:

For the United States:

Green Burial Council: Offers certification for green burial providers and education on sustainable funeral practices. https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/
Natural End Map: A directory to find green burial providers, natural cemeteries, and funeral directors across the US. https://www.naturalend.com/map.html
Funeral Consumers Alliance: Provides information on consumer rights, funeral planning, and how to choose green funeral options. https://funerals.org/
The Green Funeral Site: Offers resources and information on planning eco-friendly funerals, including a provider directory. https://www.thegreenfuneralsite.com/

For the United Kingdom:

The Natural Death Centre: A charity that provides information on green burials, including a list of natural burial grounds in the UK. https://www.naturaldeath.org.uk/
Good Funeral Guide: An independent, not-for-profit information resource that includes guidance on environmentally-friendly funerals. https://www.goodfuneralguide.co.uk/
Ecoffins: Provides eco-friendly coffins and caskets made from sustainable materials, available in the UK. https://www.ecoffins.co.uk/