Monday, May 5, 2014

Green or Natural Funerals

Green or Natural Funerals 

resources: Green Burial Council

“Green” or “Natural” funerals is an emerging alternative to traditional funeral practices.

The definition of “Green” or “Natural”, as related to funeral service, is the concept of caring for the dead with minimal environmental impact that furthers legitimate ecological aims such as the conservation of natural resources, reduction of carbon emissions, protection of worker health and the restoration and/or preservation of habitat.

There are many different shades of “green” in reference to the type of end of life services that are available.

Green or Natural funerals may include viewing, burial and cremation.
A casket, urn or shroud may be suitable for a green or natural burial if it is made from materials or substances that are non-toxic and readily biodegradable. These materials should be made from materials that are harvested in a manner that does not unnecessarily destroy the habitat.
Families may opt to have a viewing prior to the burial or cremation. There are alternatives to formaldehyde available to preserve a body for viewing purposes.

Natural, Green or Ecoembalming is defined by use of non-toxic, non-hazardous, safe, practical, ultra-low environmental-impact acceptable for natural or green burial and cremation. These fluids are readily biodegradable capable of fulfilling the Modern Tenets of Embalming as follows, public safety, temporary sanitation, cosmetic restoration and temporary preservation.
Ecoembalming uses non-toxic, non-hazardous, eco-safe fluids for temporary preservation and sanitation of the deceased for viewing purposes.  

Active chemical components of the ecoembalming fluid include essential oil ingredients.
Cremation may be considered green or natural because it reduces land use since the remains 
do not need to be interred.   

The funeral directors at Baker-Hazel & Snider Funeral Home & Crematory will work with you and your family to customize a green or natural funeral, burial or cremation. 

The Green Burial Council has a Planning Guide available on their website, www.greenburialcouncil.org, to help in the planning and facilitation of green or natural funeral services.