As more people embrace sustainability in their everyday lives—opting for electric cars, paper straws, and backyard composting—it's also worth considering eco-friendly options for funerals and burials. Here’s a guide to making greener choices for a final farewell.

Aquamation: The Eco-Friendly Alternative

Traditional cremation is often seen as a greener option compared to burial because it avoids the use of embalming fluids and the maintenance of a gravesite. However, it still consumes a lot of energy and emits greenhouse gases. Enter aquamation, also known as “liquid cremation” or “green cremation.”

Aquamation uses a combination of water, alkali (potassium hydroxide), heat, and pressure to speed up the decomposition of the body. This process, which takes between three and 16 hours, results in bone fragments and a sterile liquid. It’s much more eco-friendly than traditional flame cremation because it doesn’t produce harmful emissions or require high temperatures—only about 160°C compared to the 760-980°C needed for flame cremation. Plus, it uses less energy and doesn’t burn fossil fuels.

Green Burials: Going Back to Basics

Green burials aim to minimize environmental impact by avoiding embalming fluids and toxic chemicals. Bodies are placed in biodegradable caskets or wrapped in shrouds made from natural materials. This method allows the body to decompose naturally and return to the earth, promoting the growth of plants and supporting local wildlife. Unlike traditional cemeteries, green burial plots are not usually designed for regular visits, focusing instead on environmental conservation.

Biodegradable Caskets: A Greener Choice

If a full green burial isn’t for you, consider incorporating eco-friendly elements into a traditional burial with a biodegradable casket:

Simple Wooden Caskets: Made from wood with no metal or varnish, these caskets are customizable and accepted by most green burial sites.

Woven Caskets: Crafted from materials like wicker, bamboo, or willow, these caskets are often beautifully designed and sturdy for transport.

Shrouds: These are fabric wrappings made from materials like cotton, silk, or hemp. They are highly customizable and use fewer resources. An innovative option is the mushroom burial suit by Coeio, which uses mushroom spores to break down the body and detoxify it.

Eco-Friendly Urns: Sustainable Options

Urns can also be eco-friendly. Traditional urns might be made from durable materials but often contain chemicals that delay decomposition. Instead, consider biodegradable urns made from materials like paper, clay, or plant fibers. These urns will naturally break down over time, making them suitable for land or sea burials.

Some biodegradable urns come with seeds or tree seedlings, allowing the ashes to help grow a tree and create a lasting, living memorial. This is a meaningful way to contribute to the environment and honor a loved one’s memory.

Why Choose Eco-Friendly Burials?

Eco-friendly funerals help reduce your environmental footprint and offer a range of options. Whether you choose a full green burial or simply opt for a sustainable urn, these choices allow you to make a positive impact even in death. By choosing greener alternatives, you can continue to support and give back to the planet.