What Is Green Burial?
Green or Natural Burial
COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO GREEN BURIAL: A SUSTAINABLE CHOICE
Green burial, also known as natural burial or eco-burial, represents a growing trend in end-of-life care that emphasizes environmental sustainability and a return to simplicity. This guide provides detailed insights into green burial practices, helping you understand why more people are choosing this eco-friendly option.
WHAT IS GREEN BURIAL?
Green burial is the practice of burying the deceased in a way that allows the body to decompose naturally and contribute to the environment positively.
Unlike traditional burial, green burial does not involve embalming with chemicals, metal caskets, or concrete burial vaults. Instead, it utilizes biodegradable materials and aims to preserve the natural beauty of the burial site.
BENEFITS OF CHOOSING GREEN BURIAL
Environmental Sustainability: Green burials significantly reduce the carbon footprint by eliminating the use of toxic embalming chemicals, metal caskets, and concrete vaults, all of which can be harmful to the environment.
Conservation of Natural Resources: By avoiding non-biodegradable materials, green burial conserves natural resources and ensures that the burial site remains a living ecosystem that supports flora and fauna.
Cost-Effectiveness: Green burial is often less expensive than traditional burial because it does not involve costly embalming, expensive caskets, or burial vaults.
HOW DOES GREEN BURIAL WORK?
1. Preparation of the Body: In green burial, the body is not embalmed. It may be preserved with natural cooling or other non-toxic methods until burial. The body is typically wrapped in a biodegradable shroud or placed in a casket made from sustainable materials such as bamboo, willow, or pine.
2. The Burial Site: Green burial sites are often natural woodlands or meadows that are managed with ecological principles in mind. These sites do not use pesticides or herbicides, maintaining the area’s ecological integrity.
3. The Burial Process: The burial typically takes place in a shallow grave, which speeds up the decomposition process and allows the body to become part of the soil quickly. Gravesites may be marked with natural fieldstones, native plants, or wooden markers that blend into the natural surroundings.
TYPES OF GREEN BURIAL SITES
1. Conservation Burial Grounds: These are protected areas where burials are part of a broader effort to preserve natural habitats. Conservation burials ensure that burial fees contribute to land conservation efforts.
2. Natural Burial Grounds: These grounds are dedicated to green burials but may not have the same level of ecological management as conservation burial grounds. They still adhere to the principles of natural decomposition and land preservation.
3. Hybrid Burial Grounds: Some traditional cemeteries offer hybrid sections where green burials can take place alongside conventional burials, following green principles in designated areas.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS AND REGULATIONS
Green burial is legal in most places, but local regulations can vary. It’s important to consult local laws regarding burial practices and to work with certified green burial providers to ensure compliance with all regulations.
CHOOSING A GREEN BURIAL PROVIDER
When selecting a green burial provider, look for certifications or memberships with organizations like the Green Burial Council, which sets standards for eco-friendly burials. Ensure that the provider has a clear understanding of and commitment to sustainable practices.
CONCLUSION
Green Burial is an environnmentally-friendly alternative to traditional burial that doesn’t involve embalming fluid or the use of non-biodegradable caskets. The majority of people on the planet as well as the majority of our ancestors practiced natural burial.
The body is placed in a biodegradable shroud or natural wood casket and given back to the Earth. Endswell works with local green burial cemeteries to facilitate this service in our community.
Endswell is proud to offer concierge funeral care for green burial at Bluestem Conservation Cemetery in Cedar Grove, North Carolina. Bluestem is an 87-acre natural cemetery dedicated to land conservation and green burial practices.
How Green Burial Works
Step 1:
End Of Life
Endswell ensures the safe and careful transportation of the body to our funeral home in Hillsborough, North Carolina.
Step 2:
Prepare The Body
The body is shrouded in cotton or silk. If desired, the family will schedule a funeral, viewing, or memorial service. A natural casket is used, if requested.
Step 3:
Coordination With Cemetery
Endswell coordinates with the family and the cemetery to schedule the green burial. We offer concierge funeral care and handle all aspects of the process.
Step 4:
Green Burial / Funeral
Endswell delivers the body to the cemetery, serves as the family’s advocate, and assists the family throughout the process
Step 5:
Documents And Death Certificates
Endswell handles all paperwork and documentation. We report to Social Security and we hand deliver the death certificates to the family.
Why Choose Green Burial?
Simple & Convenient
Endswell offers one simple green burial package. We handle all aspects of the process, including coordinating with the cemetery.
Affordable
Endswell’s green burial service is $3000 and includes transportation, paperwork, concierge funeral care, and delivery to the cemetery.
Environmentally Friendly
Green burial does not have a carbon footprint and avoids the use of embalming fluid and non-biodegradable caskets.
Honoring Life
Endswell is committed to honoring the families and individuals it serves with dignity, respect, and remembrance.
Green Burial FAQs
What is green burial?
Green burial, also known as a natural burial, is an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional burial methods. It aims to minimize environmental impact by foregoing the use of embalming chemicals, metal caskets, and concrete burial vaults.
Instead, the body is placed in a biodegradable coffin or shroud and buried in a natural setting where it can decompose naturally and contribute to the surrounding ecosystem.
Green burial sites often lack traditional markers such as headstones, and the area may be maintained as a natural woodland or meadow.
This method not only reduces the carbon footprint associated with conventional burials but also preserves natural habitats and encourages the growth of native vegetation.
Contact Us online for more information or call Endswell at 919.907.9777.
Why should I choose green burial?
Choosing a green burial is an option that appeals to those looking to reduce their environmental impact, even in death. Here are several reasons why you might consider a green burial:
- Environmental Conservation: Green burials avoid the use of toxic embalming fluids, metal caskets, and concrete vaults, all of which can be detrimental to the environment. By using biodegradable materials and natural decomposition, green burials ensure that the burial site remains a sustainable and ecologically balanced habitat.
- Natural Return: Green burials emphasize the natural cycle of life and death. The body decomposes naturally, contributing to the soil and aiding plant growth, thus fostering a direct connection with nature.
- Cost-Effective: Typically, green burials are less expensive than traditional burials. The costs associated with embalming, elaborate caskets, and vaults are avoided, making it a financially viable option for many families.
- Simplicity and Dignity: Many people find the simplicity of a green burial more aligned with their personal values of living a minimalistic and eco-conscious lifestyle. The process tends to be straightforward and dignified, reflecting a respect for the natural process of decomposition.
- Legacy of Conservation: Choosing a green burial can be part of leaving a legacy of environmental stewardship. Burial sites often double as protected green spaces, which contribute to the conservation of natural areas for future generations.
If these values resonate with you, a green burial might be an appropriate way to ensure that your final footprint on earth is as gentle and meaningful as possible.
Contact Us online for more information or call Endswell at 919.907.9777.
What are the benefits of green burial?
Green burial offers several benefits that appeal to environmental, economic, and personal values:
Environmental Benefits:
- Reduced Pollution: By avoiding embalming chemicals, which can leach into the ground, green burials prevent soil and water pollution.
- Conservation of Natural Resources: Green burials use biodegradable caskets or shrouds and do not require concrete vaults, significantly reducing the extraction and consumption of materials.
- Habitat Preservation: Many green burial sites are maintained as conservation lands, preserving natural habitats and supporting biodiversity.
Economic Benefits:
- Cost-Effectiveness: Green burials typically cost less than traditional burials because they do not involve costly embalming procedures, expensive caskets, or burial vaults. This makes them a more affordable option for many families.
- Sustainable Land Use: Investing in a green burial site supports sustainable land management practices that can be more economically viable in the long run compared to traditional cemeteries.
Personal and Social Benefits:
- Alignment with Personal Values: For those who have lived with a commitment to environmental sustainability, a green burial is a way to extend these values beyond life.
- Simplicity and Dignity: The straightforward and natural approach of green burials often provides a sense of peace and dignity, reflecting a natural acceptance of the life cycle.
- Legacy: Choosing a green burial can be seen as leaving a lasting legacy of environmental consciousness and a contribution to the preservation of natural spaces.
These benefits make green burial an attractive option for individuals seeking to make a positive impact on the environment, reduce costs, and honor their personal values in their final arrangements.
Contact Us online for more information or call Endswell at 919.907.9777.
What are the environmental impacts of green burial?
Green burial provides several key environmental benefits that make it an eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial methods:
- Reduces Carbon Footprint: Green burials avoid the use of embalming chemicals and metal caskets, which require significant energy and resources to produce. By opting for biodegradable materials, the overall carbon footprint associated with burial is significantly reduced.
- Prevents Soil and Water Pollution: Traditional embalming fluids contain formaldehyde and other chemicals that can leach into the soil and groundwater. Green burials, which do not use these chemicals, prevent this type of environmental contamination.
- Promotes Natural Decomposition: By using biodegradable coffins or shrouds and foregoing concrete vaults, green burials allow the body to decompose naturally. This process returns nutrients directly to the earth and supports the growth of native vegetation.
- Conserves Natural Resources: Green burials eliminate the need for non-renewable resources used in traditional burials such as concrete and metals for caskets and vaults. This helps preserve these resources for other uses where they might be more difficult to replace.
- Supports Habitat Preservation: Many green burial sites are part of larger efforts to conserve land and restore habitats. These sites are often maintained as natural woodlands or meadows, which benefits local wildlife and helps maintain biodiversity.
- Encourages Sustainable Land Management: Green burial sites often incorporate ecological principles in their management practices, such as using native plants and avoiding pesticides and herbicides, which fosters a healthier ecosystem.
These environmental benefits align with broader efforts to live sustainably and reduce human impact on the planet, making green burial a meaningful choice for environmentally conscious individuals.
Contact Us online for more information or call Endswell at 919.907.9777.
What does green burial cost?
Endswell offers one simple green burial service for $3,000 that includes local transportation, shrouding, delivery to the cemetery, death certificates, concierge funeral care, and a dedicated obituary. There are no other hidden fees or costs.
Contact Us online for more information or call Endswell at 919.907.9777.
How do I work with Bluestem Conservation Cemetery?
Nestled in Cedar Grove, North Carolina, Bluestem Conservation Cemetery offers families an eco-friendly burial alternative that aligns with their environmental values. Partnering with Bluestem, Endswell provides personalized concierge funeral care, guiding families through the process with compassion and attention to detail.
Bluestem’s commitment to conservation ensures that every interment contributes to the restoration of natural habitats, fostering biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Families can find solace in knowing their loved ones rest in harmony with nature.
Endswell’s concierge funeral care streamlines the funeral process, handling logistical details with professionalism and empathy. From legal paperwork to coordinating memorial ceremonies, Endswell ensures families can focus on healing and cherishing memories.
Together, Bluestem Conservation Cemetery and Endswell offer families a meaningful and sustainable alternative to traditional burial practices. With their support, families can navigate the grieving process with grace and dignity, finding comfort in honoring the lives of their loved ones in a tranquil and environmentally-conscious setting.
Contact Us online for more information or call Endswell at 919.907.9777.
How do I work with Historic Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh?
Nestled in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina, Historic Oakwood Cemetery stands as a cherished landmark steeped in history and heritage.
Established in 1869, this hallowed ground serves as the final resting place for many prominent figures, offering a serene sanctuary for remembrance and reflection. Endswell, renowned for its compassionate funeral care services, partners with Historic Oakwood Cemetery to provide families with dignified support during their time of need.
Historic Oakwood Cemetery holds a special place in the community, serving as a repository of local history and culture. With its tree-lined pathways, ornate monuments, and meticulously manicured gardens, the cemetery offers a tranquil setting for families to honor their loved ones and pay homage to the legacies of those who came before them.
Endswell’s partnership with Historic Oakwood Cemetery extends a tradition of compassionate care and personalized service to families in their time of loss. Whether assisting with funeral arrangements, coordinating burial services, or providing grief support, Endswell’s dedicated team ensures that families receive the support and guidance they need to navigate the funeral process with grace and dignity.
At Historic Oakwood Cemetery, every grave tells a story, and Endswell is committed to helping families preserve and honor those stories with sensitivity and respect. Together, they offer a seamless and compassionate experience, allowing families to find solace in the timeless beauty and historical significance of this cherished landmark.
In conclusion, Endswell’s partnership with Historic Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh exemplifies a shared commitment to honoring heritage and providing compassionate care to families during their time of need. With their combined expertise and dedication, they ensure that every family receives the support and assistance they need to navigate the funeral process with dignity and reverence.
Ready to get started or want to learn more? Contact Us online for more information or call Endswell at 919.907.9777.