Five Benefits of a Green Funeral

Although it may not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering funeral options, traditional funeral methods actually harm the environment in different ways and there are a number of benefits of a green funeral. Cremation can put mercury and other pollutants into the air, and will still require other materials aside from the body for the process. Burial in the ground requires the harvesting of wood, and the use of embalming fluid, which will enter the local soil once the body begins to decompose.

A green burial, on the other hand, has a minimal impact on the environment, especially when considering the carbon footprint that creating a casket, producing embalming fluid, or burning matter create. Instead, the deceased will be able to choose a location where their body will be buried in a shroud, without embalming, that will be used to nurture plant life, including growing trees. Here are five benefits of a green funeral and why you may want to choose to have one.

It’s Natural

One of the more obvious qualities of a green funeral is its association with nature. The green funeral will have a greatly reduced impact on the local environment when compared to other funeral options. The body will be returned to the earth, a poetic sentiment often cited in religious and philosophical literature as part of the cycle of life and death. New life will benefit directly from that which has passed.

It’s Comforting 

Knowing that you will become one with the earth can be a source of comfort, but it can also comfort those who mourn you. When your life goes on to help a tree to grow, you will have a living monument that loved ones can see as a continuation of your memory. Most green burials are marked with a simple flagstone, as opposed to a much larger headstone.

It’s Less Expensive

A green funeral can cost as little as $2,000 or less, depending on where you wish to be buried, whereas even an affordable traditional burial can cost $6,000 or more. Green funerals involve less materials, less preparation, and require less money as a result, which means more of your estate can go to the people that you care for.

It’s Safe

Although contamination of water may be a concern with a green burial, the truth is that any bacteria within the body will quickly become inert before the issue arises. Green burials are commonly placed far away from open sources of water as well. In addition, there is no combustion, and thus no harmful pollutants will enter the air, as is the case with cremation.

It Improves the World You Love

Green burials can enrich the soil with organic material, providing much needed nutrients and nurturing the microorganisms that plants need to grow and survive. Stronger trees mean an area has better protection against storms and flooding, and helps to reduce the pollution that has already taken a toll on the world. Green cemeteries provide a rich, strong foundation for plant life that can be enjoyed by generations to come.

The above five points are only a few of the benefits of a green funeral. Read the other articles on green funerals listed below to learn more about planning a green funeral for your loved one.

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Benefits of Planning Your Own Funeral

Many people are uncomfortable with the prospect of planning for their own death. Admittedly, the thought of planning your own funeral is indeed a bit morbid; like you’re welcoming death with open arms. But if you look at it from a rational and economical perspective, it is actually very logical to do so.

Funeral expenses are not cheap. You have to buy a coffin, reserve space for the funeral service, purchase a lot at a memorial park, pay for the cost of the burial, and more. The cost of a traditional funeral today averages close to $10,000 and can be as much as $20,000. This is a major expense that should not be left unplanned. Planning your own funeral in advance will reduce the burden left on your family and save you money.

1. Lessen the burden on your family

By planning your own funeral you can lessen the burden you leave on your loved ones after you pass away. You make life easier for the family you leave behind because you won’t have to give them responsibilities for your funeral after you die. This means that your family will not have to make the difficult decisions of arranging the funeral and selecting funeral products. Most importantly, you will leave your family with no financial burdens.

2. Ensures your wishes are known

Another benefit of planning your own funeral is to ensure that all of your final wishes are known. No matter how well your family knows you, or what wishes you have expressed to them, it is impossible for them to plan your funeral exactly how you would like. Pre-planning your funeral will ensure that the funeral is exactly the way you want your friends and family to honor your life.

3. Provides you peace of mind

With a good funeral plan you won’t have to worry about anything right before you die; because you know everything has already been taken care of. Planning ahead will provide you and your family peace of mind knowing that whenever you pass away the final expenses and funeral arrangements are taken care of.

4. Save Money

Planning your own funeral in advance can save you and your family money. Pre-planning will ensure that no matter how much funeral prices appreciate in the future you will be covered. There are also funeral payment plans available that allow you to set aside a small amount of money every month towards your funeral. This makes the funeral easier to afford instead of having to pay the entire bill at once.

Purchasing a funeral or memorial plan is a very simple process. You simply need to find an insurance provider, or funeral home, that offers this service and buy a plan from them. You will be asked to choose the items you want to use for your funeral, which includes the funeral location, funeral products, burial site, and so on. Planning your own funeral in advance is an excellent way to ensure that your needs are met, while reducing the burden on your family and saving money.

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The Benefits of Green Cemeteries

If one were to ask ‘what is the most important world issue that has taken place in the last decade?’ you would not be wrong to respond with environmental conservation. As humans, we’re becoming more and more aware of the environmental impact we leave on the earth. The first step to solving a problem is to become aware of it. Very little people look at traditional burials and cemeteries as a hazard to the environment, likely out of fear of disrespect to the diseased. The problem is that traditional burials and the overwhelming amount of cemeteries operating today are doing so in a way extremely dangerous to the environment. Today we’re going to tell you all about the benefits of green cemeteries, and why choosing to have a green burial at a green cemetery can really make a difference on the environment.

What is a Green Cemetery?

Only recently have burial methods such as cremation become a trend. Why? Most experts believe the reason why cremation has become one of the most popular burial methods is because of the lower cost compared to green burials. Most, however, don’t take the negative environmental effect each stage of the cremation process occurs into consideration.

Picture this: a quiet, forested area complete with the entire natural ecosystem that you would expect. There are no paved roads, the grass has not been fertilized nor manicured, and everything appears natural. This is a green cemetery. There are no headstones to mark each grave site, instead, trees and flowers have been planted as natural markers. Unembalmed bodies are laid into a basic, biodegradable coffin, without any concrete liners. Everything is one hundred percent organic. Does this sound new to you? Remember, this is what burial has been like for the majority of human history.

3 Important Benefits of Green Cemeteries

More and more people every year are becoming open to the idea of having their own green burial in a green cemetery. Let’s discuss three unique benefits of green cemeteries.

The positive effect on the environment – Green cemeteries have a huge trickledown effect on the environment. Natural decomposition enriches the soil, in turn assisting the forestry and plants, which help local wildlife survive. This is a sharp 180 degree turn from traditional cemeteries which actually damage the eco-system.The positive effect on the community – The atmosphere of a green cemetery is very different than that of a traditional cemetery. When you’re visiting a green cemetery it doesn’t feel as though you’re walking through a graveyard. It’s much akin to the mindset of ‘celebrating life’ rather than mourning a loss.Green cemeteries serve as both a natural burial, and a conservation of land. Many green cemeteries will double as an open park. You can often see families having a picnic, or throwing a Frisbee around. Some believe this may re-invent ominous cemetery culture.

There are enormous benefits to choosing a green cemetery over a traditional cemetery. Take your time to read this page once more and decide if you want to be a part of the green cemetery movement.

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