The Most Popular Green Burial Options

Green burial options are becoming more and more accepted today across the United States. A survey was taken in 2008 asking respondents if they would consider a green burial. 43 percent of those asked said that a green burial is something they would consider, a dramatic 21 percent increase from the response generated by the same survey just a year earlier. The growing popularity of green burials can be attributed to a wide range of factors. It could be due to the trending enthusiasm behind becoming more environmentally friendly, or it could just be people are becoming more in tune with the idea of letting nature take its course without any metal coffins or embalming chemicals.

What exactly are green burials?

Green burials, also referred to as natural burials, are environmentally friendly burials which require less energy to create, consumer fewer resources, and are non-toxic. These burials are designed to naturally biodegrade, greatly benefiting the growth of native trees, flowers, greenery, and other wildlife in the area. Experts estimate that over 60,000 tons of steel and 4.8 million gallons of embalming fluid are buried each year with traditional cremation burials. Green burials present a healthy, natural alternative.

Planning a green burial isn’t any more difficult than a more traditional funeral is; it’s just a new process. Here we are going to reveal the most popular green burial options to make it easier for you to realistically consider the possibility of having a green burial.

Green Caskets

Green caskets usually consist of sustainably harvested poplar wood and made without any varathanes, metals, hinges, dyes, or chemicals. Poplar trees are often referred to as “weed wood” because they mature at a particularly fast rate, allowing them to quickly reforest an area after being planted. Green caskets use traditional carpentry methods together with non-chemical adhesives to join corners as an alternative to using nails and screws, which take a very long time to naturally break down.

Natural Land Protected by Cemeteries

There are six fully certified conversation cemeteries around the United States. These certified grave sites are governed by rules that ensure the entire burial process remains completely natural and organic. For example, one of the rules is every grave site must be dug by hand, and only biodegradable material is allowed to be buried with the body. Conservation easements on green burial sites ensure that no further development will be permitted on the land. The land can be protected forever.

What are the costs of a green burial?

Green burials can be less expensive than more traditional funerals because the process is much simpler. There are no metal caskets or expensive embalming fluids used. However, due to the many steps of a green burial that require manual, non-automated labor, the costs of a green burial remain more expensive than a cremation.

Take Time to Consider Green Burial Options

The environmental stress relief a green burial provides is tremendous, it really does make a difference. Strongly consider choosing one of the green burial options if the idea of resting with nature organically appeals to you. Going green is by far the most environmentally friendly burial option available today.

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Funeral Casket Material Options

Choosing the funeral casket for a deceased loved one can be very difficult because of the emotion involved. At times, the family may experience doubt or regret about the chosen casket because they make the decision while grieving and without doing proper research. Usually the family members select the casket for its appearance, and because of that, they may ignore the price of the casket, or if it is appropriate for the deceased. It is helpful to learn about the different funeral casket materials before selecting a casket.

Purchasing a wood casket is like purchasing furniture, since wood caskets are made similar to how furniture is made. It is important to look at the quality of the wood used, how it was stained and polished, and the overall craftsmanship used to assemble the casket. The quality of the wood will vary with the price; however, no matter what you pay you want to ensure that you are purchasing a well-made product. The following are the most common woods used for a funeral casket.

Hardwood

Mahogany, Walnut, and Cherry are the most expensive and elegant wooden caskets. The wood can be highly polished and produces a beautiful finish. Maple, Pecan, Oak and Poplar are also popular choices for wood caskets. Maple is popular because of its strength. Oak is popular because of its intricate grain pattern. All of these hardwoods can be hand-carved and shaped into beautiful designs.

Softwood

Pine, Poplar, Spruce and Cedar are options for softwood caskets. Softwood is a popular choice because of its lower-cost; however, the cost may vary depending on whether or not the casket is made from locally sourced wood. Softwood is a more environmentally friendly choice when compared to hardwood caskets because it is more of a renewable resource.

Veneer

Wood laminate caskets provide the beauty of a hardwood casket without the expensive cost. Veneer caskets are becoming more popular as families look at ways to reduce funeral expenses. However, veneer can be difficult to work with and it is important to check the quality of the casket to make sure the veneer is not peeling off.

Cloth Covered

Cloth covered caskets are the least expensive wood casket because they are made of inexpensive plywood, pressboard or recycled wood material and then covered with cloth. The family will have more options for customization because they can choose the exterior and interior cloth styles.

Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly wood caskets are becoming increasingly popular. Eco-friendly caskets are typically made of bamboo, wicker or recycled materials. Bamboo is a popular wood choice because of its strength, beauty, and it is a highly renewable resource.

Metal caskets offer superior strength when compared to wood caskets. Metal caskets may be constructed from naturally non-rusting bronze or copper, rust-resistant stainless steel, or cathodically protected steel. They are also available in a variety of thicknesses, with 16, 18, and 20 gauge the most popular options. 16 gauge is the thickest type of metal casket available and is therefore one of the more expensive types of funeral casket available.

Bronze

Bronze caskets are selected because of their strength, durability and their natural non-rusting qualities. Bronze caskets are available in a wide variety of colors and styles.

Copper

Copper caskets are selected because of their durability and their natural non-rusting qualities. Bronze caskets are strong, but not quite as durable as bronze caskets. They are also available in a wide variety of colors and styles.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel, an alloy of carbon steel and chromium, provides strength at an economical price. The caskets are treated so that they are resistant to corrosion. Stainless Steel caskets come in both painted and brushed finishes.

Whether you choose a metal or wood casket, you will have numerous styles to choose from. All caskets come in slightly different shapes and designs. Some of the custom options are graphics or engravings, different handles, and more. One of the most common ways to customize a casket is through the interior. You can choose different types of fabric and colors to personalize the look of the funeral casket.

The above are the most common types of metal and wood caskets. This will provide you with the basic information required to begin the process of choosing a funeral casket for your loved one. Read the other articles below to learn more about metal and wood caskets. Your local funeral home will also be able to further educate you about what casket options are available.

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Standard Funeral Payment Options

Funerals are expensive and before planning the memorial service families need to know the funeral payment options. Because of the high cost, many families choose to save money for their, or their loved one’s, funeral. There are a number of different options available for prepaying and guaranteeing the final expenses. Below are the forms of funeral payment that the family of the deceased can choose from to compensate the funeral home’s financial needs during this time of grievance.

1. Cash or Check

The family members can opt to pay for the funeral using cash. There are two types of cash payments. One of the members of the family can simply write a check for payment to the funeral service provider. Or, they can pay using cash in hand. According to many people, cash payments for funeral service are typically only made for direct cremation or more simple and inexpensive funeral services.

2. Credit Card

Almost all funeral homes are now accepting credit cards as a form of funeral payment. The funeral home can charge the entire funeral service to one credit card or split it between multiple credit cards. Or, a combination of cash, insurance, and credit may be used.

3. Insurance Death Benefits

This is a common means of funeral payment for the funeral of a deceased. A family member has to undergo a process before he fully claims the insurance benefits. The beneficiary of the insurance policy must bring it to the funeral home and show it to the funeral director who then calls the insurance provider to confirm that the insurance policy is legitimate. Then the beneficiary will sign some forms giving the funeral director a portion of the accumulated benefits to spend on funeral services.

4. Funeral Trust Plans

Funeral trusts are widely used to set aside money for the funeral costs. You can establish a funeral trust by depositing money into an interest bearing trust account. The amount that you are required to deposit into the account each month is based on the number of years you will be contributing to the fund and the amount you require for the funeral payment. When you die, the trust funds will be disbursed to the funeral home, or other service provider that you have designated as the primary beneficiary in the trust agreement.

There can also be times when an individual dies without any means for funeral payment. There is often government assistance or other organizations available to assist with the funeral costs. It is recommended to speak to a funeral home and plan the funeral in advance whenever possible. This will allow you to set aside money each month and be prepared to cover the final expenses when the time comes.

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