Green Funerals: 6 Eco-Friendly Options For Your Remains

The environmental impact of traditional death practices is significant and growing. With 8 billion people on the planet—all of whom will eventually pass away and need their bodies disposed of—we must explore alternatives to conventional burial and cremation. Fortunately, eco-friendly options are being developed to reduce these environmental costs. Here are some of the latest innovations in green funerals.

The Environmental Impact of Conventional Methods

Traditional burials typically involve pumping the body with toxic embalming fluid, placing it in a steel casket, and burying it within a cement-lined vault. According to the Green Burial Council, this practice consumes approximately 77,000 trees, 100,000 tons of steel, 1.5 million tons of concrete, and 4.3 million gallons of embalming fluid each year in the U.S.

While cremation is often considered more eco-friendly than burial, it still poses significant environmental risks. Cremating a single body uses about the same amount of gas as a 500-mile road trip and releases around 250 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, equivalent to the weekly output of an average American home.

Natural Burials: A Return to Tradition

With the aging Baby Boomer generation, the death rate is expected to rise, potentially causing more environmental damage. Although green funerals are a recent trend, natural burials were the norm before the Civil War and the advent of the industrial age, embalming, and the modern funeral industry.

Today, natural burials are regaining popularity. Green funerals aim to be more environmentally friendly and less expensive than conventional burials or cremations. If you wish to minimize your ecological footprint even in death, here are six green funeral options to consider.

1. Green Burial

The nonprofit Green Burial Council (GBC) sets environmental standards for green cemeteries, funeral professionals, and funeral-product manufacturers. A green burial must meet three criteria: the body cannot be embalmed, it must be buried without a cement or metal vault or grave liner, and only biodegradable burial containers and shrouds may be used.

Graves in green cemeteries are often marked by GPS or simple stones or trees instead of headstones or metal plaques. The grounds typically feature native species and forgo pesticides and mechanical landscaping. The graves are shallower, exposing the body to more natural organisms to speed decomposition.

2. Aquamation

Aquamation, or "flameless cremation," offers an eco-friendlier alternative to traditional cremation. This water-based method involves using lye, superheated water, and pressure to dissolve the body, avoiding the use of fossil fuels. The resulting ashes can be scattered or placed in a biodegradable urn for burial.

3. Mushroom Burial Suits

Mushroom burial suits contain spores sewn into the fabric, which facilitates decomposition and purifies toxins released by the body. The fungi also deliver nutrients to the soil, encouraging plant growth. The suit fits like long-john pajamas, offering an innovative green burial option.

4. Eternal Reefs

Eternal Reefs combine cremated ashes with environmentally friendly concrete to create artificial reefs. These hollow "reef balls" are placed on the ocean floor, creating habitats for marine life. Marked by GPS, these living memorials encourage loved ones to visit by boat, snorkeling, or scuba diving. The company has locations off the coasts of Florida, New York, North Carolina, Texas, South Carolina, Maryland, and New Jersey.

5. Become a Tree

Tree burials involve wrapping the body in a biodegradable shroud and placing it in a shallow grave lined with wood chips or hay. A young tree is then planted on top, nourished by the decomposing body. The startup Transcend plans to open forest-based cemeteries across the U.S., where trees mark graves instead of headstones. For every tree burial reserved, Transcend pledges to plant an additional 1,000 trees worldwide.

6. Human Composting

Human composting, or "recomposting," transforms the body into soil through a process similar to composting used in agriculture. The body is placed in a steel cylinder filled with wood chips, straw, and alfalfa, along with bacteria that break down organic matter. After about a month, the body is transformed into soil, which can be returned to the family or used to revitalize conservation areas. Legal in five states—California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Vermont—human composting is an emerging green burial option.

Planning for Your Green Funeral

Regardless of the method you select, it's essential to include your final wishes and the funds to cover them in your estate plan. Green funerals, while often less expensive than traditional methods, can still cost thousands of dollars. Ensure your estate plan includes enough money to pay for your funeral and legally designates the person responsible for carrying out your wishes.

Help Your Loved Ones and the Planet

With proper planning, you can make your death easier and less expensive for your family while benefiting the environment. By considering green funeral options, you ensure that your final act contributes positively to the planet.

This article is a service of Zarda Law, S.C. We do not just draft documents; we ensure you make informed decisions about life and death, for yourself and the people you love. That's why we offer Legacy Planning Session, during which you will get financially organized and make all the best choices for the people you love. You can begin by scheduling a Legacy Planning Session and mention this article to find out how to get this $750 session at no charge.