Green funerals, also known as “natural” or “eco-friendly” funerals, refer to funeral and burial practices that aim to have minimal environmental impact. The focus is on sustainability and returning the body to the earth in a manner that does not harm the environment.
Key features and considerations of a green funeral include:
- No Embalming: Avoids harmful chemicals.
- Biodegradable Caskets: Made from eco-friendly materials.
- Natural Burial Sites: No vaults; encourages natural decomposition.
- Natural Fiber Clothing/Shrouds: Biodegradable clothing or wraps.
- Eco Grave Markers: Rocks, plants, or trees instead of headstones.
- Considered Cremation: Some choose eco-friendlier “water cremation.”
- Minimise Transport: Reduces carbon footprint.
- Eco-friendly Memorial Services: Digital services, local flowers, or donations to environmental causes.
In essence, green funerals prioritise eco-friendly practices to reduce environmental impact.
Green Funeral Support From Simple Send-Offs
If you are based in Wirral, Bebbington, Bromborough, Birkenhead and the surrounding areas, Tom and Liz, funeral directors at Simple Send-offs can offer much-needed support and advice planning your own green funeral or the wishes of a loved one.
As well as an experienced, guiding hand during difficult times, we offer funeral solutions which can be more affordable than traditional high street funeral directors. We are focused on making the funeral process as straightforward as possible and our mission is to support our clients with a quality service with value in mind.
Call 0800 246 5292 or (0151) 630 0050 to Discuss your funeral options with our friendly team.
Read on for more details on green funerals, the materials used, types of natural burial grounds, and key elements of a simplified ceremony in keeping with this type of service when someone dies.
Key Elements Of Green Funerals
The green funeral movement arises from the recognition that traditional funeral practices can be resource-intensive and environmentally damaging. As environmental awareness grows, more people are considering green funerals as a way to minimise their ecological footprint, even in death.
Consider these elements of funeral planning when looking to plan a greener goodbye for yourself or a loved one;
No Embalming
Conventional embalming uses chemicals, notably formaldehyde which is a carcinogenic substance, which can leach into the soil, potentially harming the environment. In green funerals, harsh chemical embalming is avoided in favour of natural fluids or oils for minimal preservation when needed. Refrigeration may also be used to keep the body until burial.
Biodegradable Caskets
Green funerals often use coffins made of wicker, seagrass, bamboo, cardboard, or other naturally sourced and more sustainable materials which can be customised with personal touches like photos or handwritten notes.
They do not have metal parts or non-biodegradable liners. These containers break down over time, allowing the body to decompose naturally and the nutrients to return to the earth, ensuring the cycle of life continues. Metal caskets not only require mining and refining, which are energy-intensive processes, but they also take an extremely long time to degrade, if ever.
Clothing and Shrouds
As an alternative to a casket, the deceased may be buried in a shroud (cloth wrapping) or cocoon (woven sleeve). Natural fabrics like linen, wool, silk and cotton provide biodegradable options. Bamboo or banana leaf shrouds offer another green choice.
Natural Burial Sites
These are burial grounds where bodies or ashes are interred without a vault or outer burial container. The idea of a burial plot like this is to let the body decompose naturally, enriching the soil. Many natural burial grounds are managed as conservation projects, preserving native habitats, and supporting local ecosystems and wildlife too.
Urns and Ash Containers
Cremated human ashes can be held in biodegradable urns before burial or scattering. Containers include clay, salt, paper, gourd or other natural materials that decompose within months or a few years. Scattering ashes directly without an urn is also an option.
Grave Markers
Instead of traditional headstones, natural markers such as rocks, plants, or trees might be used. Some green burial grounds avoid individual markers altogether, opting for communal memorials or GPS coordinates to locate gravesites. Traditional burial methods often use concrete vaults, which require significant energy for production and transportation. Green funerals omit these, substantially reducing carbon emissions.
Natural Offerings
Instead of cut flowers, potted plants, branches or compostable flowers are used. Food offerings are also more natural style, and locally sourced.
Cremation
While cremation is more environmentally friendly than traditional burials involving vaults and embalming, it still consumes energy and releases greenhouse gases. Some eco-conscious individuals opt for “water cremation” or “alkaline hydrolysis,” which uses water and potassium hydroxide to break down the body, producing less CO2 and using less energy.
Minimise Transport
Reducing the distance the deceased and mourners have to travel for funerals and burials can decrease the carbon footprint associated with the event. Utilising nearby funeral directors and services reduces transport emissions and supports community businesses. Keeping the funeral local also allows more family and friends to attend. Horse-drawn hearses, electric vehicles, and walking or biking provide green transportation options.
Eco-friendly Memorial Services
Opting for digital memorial services, sourcing local flowers, or even asking for charitable donations to environmental causes in lieu of flowers can further the eco-friendly intent.
If you or your loved ones want to opt for an eco-friendly funeral, there are plenty of things you can do that take positive steps towards this. You don’t have to turn every element into an eco-funeral either, as simply picking one or two eco-friendly options can greatly increase the overall carbon footprint associated with finding a peaceful resting place.
The Main Benefits Of Choosing A Green Funeral
- Environmental Stewardship: Green funerals significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with traditional funeral practices by forgoing concrete burial vaults, metal caskets, and chemical embalming.
- Biodegradable Containers: The use of wicker, cardboard, or other naturally sourced coffins means they will decompose naturally, allowing the body to integrate with the earth.
- Ecosystem Conservation: Natural burial grounds not only promote decomposition but also serve as conservation spaces, preserving native habitats and supporting biodiversity.
- Cost-Efficiency: Without the need for pricey vaults, high-end caskets, and embalming services, green funerals can be more affordable than their traditional counterparts.
- Holistic Approach: Green funerals emphasise a return to nature, offering a spiritually and emotionally fulfilling experience that respects the cyclical nature of life.
- Personalised and Intimate: The simplicity of green funerals allows for a more personal touch, often set in serene, natural settings, making the experience more intimate for families and loved ones.
- Reduced Chemical Impact: By avoiding chemical embalming, there’s a reduced risk of harmful chemicals leaching into the soil and potentially contaminating groundwater.
- Support for Sustainable Practices: Choosing a green funeral supports industries and practices committed to sustainability, encouraging broader societal shifts towards environmental responsibility.
Woodland Burials Offer Peaceful Resting Places
Woodland or natural burial grounds provide tranquil settings surrounded by nature. They are often located in forests, meadows or other serene landscapes. This natural setting offers a beautiful final resting place and a chance to become one with nature. The natural settings foster healing and reflection for family and friends.
Burial plots at these woodland funeral sites aim to blend into the existing ecosystem. Graves may be marked with natural memorials like rocks, plants or trees. This creates an organic memorial that feels connected to the natural world.
Some woodland burial grounds have special areas for outdoor memorial services. These may feature gazebos, yurts or large tents used to accommodate gatherings. Having the ceremony immersed in nature can be profoundly moving.
What Types Of Green Burial Grounds Exist?
Natural or green cemeteries utilise land in an eco-friendly way to foster natural decomposition and conservation. These green cemeteries are designed with environmental sustainability in mind, fostering natural decomposition and preserving ecological balance.
Conservation Burial Grounds
These preserve native vegetation, avoid chemicals/fertilisers, plant indigenous flowers/trees, and aim to restore natural habitats whilst harmoniously integrating with the existing environment. Burials take place in harmony with existing ecosystems and are focused on preserving the natural beauty of the landscape to rehabilitate and sustain natural habitats.
Woodland Burial Sites
Bodies are buried directly in nature without liners or vaults. The grounds feel like a peaceful forest, dotted with trees and vegetation. Here, bodies are laid to rest directly in nature’s embrace, sans liners or vaults.
Green Burial Sections
Some conventional cemeteries now offer sections specifically for green burials without vaults or non-biodegradable casket materials. Graves are dug shallower to aid decomposition. Recognising the growing demand for eco-friendly burials, many traditional cemeteries have allocated specific sections for green interments. In these areas, graves are often shallower, enhancing natural decomposition, and only biodegradable materials are permitted.
Private Land
With proper permissions, green burials can occur on private land of significance to the deceased or family, such as family farms or estates. This provides a personalised burial site. With the requisite permissions, green burials can also occur on private properties meaningful to the deceased or their families, like ancestral farmlands or estates. Such locations offer a deeply personal resting place.
Key Questions for Woodland Burial Sites
When touring local areas and potential woodland burial sites, key questions to ask include:
- What memorial options are allowed? Are natural markers like rocks or plants permitted?
- Is there flexibility for faith-based or non-religious services?
- Are there any facilities for gatherings before or after the burial?
- What are the requirements for biodegradable caskets and shrouds?
- Is the site maintained through sustainable practices like avoiding chemicals?
- How are burial records and plot maps maintained long-term?
- What fees apply for plots, interment services, memorial installations, etc?
Understanding the options at each site allows for picking the best fit for honouring final wishes. Consulting funeral directors familiar with natural burial grounds can also provide guidance on other arrangements.
Green Funerals Cost Less & Reduce Impact on the Environment
The simplified practices of green funerals significantly reduce costs compared to conventional funerals as well as leaving less of an impact on the environment around us.
Basic Services
Opting for direct cremation or graveside-only ceremonies avoids the costs of embalming and elaborate funeral services too. Online planning also simplifies arrangements.
No Vaults or Metal Caskets
Major expenses are eliminated by using biodegradable caskets and shrouds instead of metal or hardwood caskets costing thousands. Vaults are also avoided.
Prepaying
Fixing costs through prepayment plans avoids price inflation later on. This provides peace of mind and financial security.
Home Funerals
In some areas, families can carry out preparations at home, avoiding funeral home fees. Home funerals offer a personalised approach.
Simplified Ceremonies
Choosing a simplified ceremony that avoids ostentation and unnecessary rituals. Focusing on natural and sustainable elements that emphasise the connection with nature and the memory of those departed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to the body without embalming?
If a body isn’t embalmed, it can still be preserved for a short time using non-toxic methods or refrigeration. Over time, the body will break down and return to nature.
Are eco-friendly funerals allowed in the UK?
Absolutely. Natural burials are allowed, though there are rules about where to bury. If you’re thinking about a home funeral, make sure to check with your local council for any permission required.
Can I be buried in the UK without a coffin?
Yes, you can. Many people choose eco-friendly shrouds instead of coffins. But, some graveyards might ask for a basic platform at the bottom. They might also ask for a liner around the grave.
How can I plan an affordable green funeral?
If you want to save money, avoiding embalming and vaults provides major savings. Some folks also plan funerals at home or online to cut down on costs. Another way to keep things simple and cost-effective is to choose cremation or a direct burial without a big ceremony.
What if there is no funeral plan when someone dies?
If someone dies without a funeral plan, the local council will take care of their remains. The costs might be taken from what the deceased left behind or might have to be covered by the family if there wasn’t a prepaid plan.
In Summary
In summary, green funerals provide an ecologically responsible alternative to traditional funeral practices, emphasising natural processes, conservation, and sustainability. Not only are they kinder to the environment, but they can also be more affordable for families.
Green funerals aim to lower environmental impact by:
- Using biodegradable containers like wicker or cardboard coffins
- Choosing natural burial grounds that conserve ecosystems
- Having simplified ceremonies with minimal resource use
- Avoiding concrete vaults, metal caskets, and chemical embalming
The main benefits of green funerals are reduced carbon footprint, lower costs, and sustainable practices that are better for the environment. By opting for green funerals, families can reduce waste, save money, and make an eco-conscious choice. As environmental awareness grows, green funerals offer a meaningful way to limit our impact on the planet.
At Simple Send-offs, we are committed to making this journey a bit easier for you with our straightforward, affordable funeral options. For a more detailed guide on what to expect and how to prepare, please visit our FAQs page.
