The Oregonian describes new burial options for people wanting a “green burial.” This is another example of how “green” isn’t an industry. “Green” means applying new technologies and practices to existing industries.
The green burial options involve a simple burial in a natural forest setting. After burial, nature is left to take it course. The deceased is not embalmed and is buried in a simple basket or shroud.
Cynthia Beal said
Hi there,
I’d love to offer a couple of clarifications on the above:
Natural burial CAN offer a burial in a forest setting but it doesn’t HAVE to. Natural burials can take place in ANY existing cemetery if the management can understand the second sentence in your first paragraph above:
“Green means applying new technologies and practices to existing industries.”
The caveat would here would be “new” – in the case of natural burial, burying a body in the earth, at a depth slight enough for decomposition, in suitable soil, in a biodegradable container, the technology is millennia old, and has worked for all of that time.
We like to say that the natural burial movement is comprised of three parts – the funeral, the burial (the actual body interment) and the maintenance of the land after the burial.
Funeral s can be more natural, beginning today. Embalming is possible in a natural burial and funeral, and any cemetery that contractually prohibits it is setting itself up for problems down the road. You’re better off saying “no embalming with substances that would inhibit microbial decomposition”.
That will be more accurate and more representative of reality since 1) there are embalming fluids and methods that will not impact microbial decomp in the soil, 2) 20% of deaths are non-local and may require embalming for transport and 3) embalming is an aesthetic, not an ecological choice with respect to burial and should not be prohibited as a”green” thing but remain clearly a subjective values-issue that has no bearing on the biology of the burial.
Also, natural burial does not require an untended grave, nor an untended landscape. The natural burial you describe above comprises a very small fraction of the natural burials performed in the UK, and will make up a very small number of natural burials over the next 50 years. The majority of them will take place in existing cemeteries – where they SHOULD take place.
The biggest issue on all “green thinking” minds on this ‘green end’ topic should be the conversion of existing cemeteries to sustainable practices. Just like parks, schools, golf-courses, and other institutional grounds, a cemetery uses huge amounts of water, fuel, grass seed, herbicide, sod, and fertilizer. These cemeteries – if they don’t survive – will be on the public tax roles in the future. Best to have them change while they can, rather than force new cemeteries to open in pristine countrysides and leave the existing conventional cemeteries (and their taxpayers) holding the bag!
Existing cemeteries will be able to fund their shift to sustainability by converting their sites to alternative grounds management options. We have a lot of info about this on our company website, where we sell biodegradable coffins and urns as a way to raise awareness about this topic.
Tree burial is, however, a very compelling option for many. Our group has a lot of different “schemes” for natural burial – some of them involve trees, but some of them don’t…you can be a meadow, or a hedgerow, or a cornfield, or … the important things: 1) it’s not rocket science, 2) it DOES take some knowledge because it can be done ‘wrong’, 3) choice, choice, choice – that’s the thing to remember through it all.
Thanks again for posting the info!
in trees,
Cynthia Beal
Natural Burial Company
http://www.naturalburialcompany.com
http://www.beatree.com
Tom Turnbull said
Thanks for the great information and clarification!