Why Cemeteries Have Recycled Fences
by Piper Wallingford
People are dying to be green. Or, as people opt out of embalming and into biodegradable coffins, they are going green when they die. Today there are about ten natural cemeteries approved by the Green Burial Council, an organization that promotes burials that shun embalming, varnished coffins and other conventional funeral practices. These green burials are environmentally friendly, but many people do not have access to these services. Green burials are not always less expensive and often require more foresight from the family. For some people, green burials may not be an option because of where they live.
The first modern green cemetery, Ramsey Creek Preserve in Westminster, South Carolina, opened in 1998. It was founded by Dr. Billy Campbell, a doctor and Sierra Club member, who wanted to design a cemetery with conservation value. People who chose to be buried there are buried without coffins or grave markers, and the costs are much less than those of a conventional cemetery.
But green cemeteries are not the only ways that people are choosing to go green when they die. Biodegradable coffins and cremation urns are now made from renewable woods like willow and bamboo. People can even become part of a reef ecosystem after they die. One Georgian company, Eternal Reefs, will mix cremation ashes with environmentally friendly concrete that supports reef growth.
These practices help protect the environment by reducing the amount of waste associated with conventional funeral practices. Traditional burial practices produce thousands of tons of steel and concrete every year. By using biodegradable materials, there is no excess waste; the container decomposes along with the body. Embalming fluid is not used, so groundwater will not be threatened by possible leaching. A green burial also allows a person to return their nutrients to the earth, essentially a form of composting.
While many people are interested in green burials, not everyone can take advantage of them. The green burial movement has become associated with less expensive funerals since the burials are usually simple. While cemetery rates are often less expensive, this is not necessarily true for other aspects of green burials. Biodegradable coffins start at $1000. While some conventional coffins can start as high as $8000, not all coffins are this expensive. Cremation, even if it is considered to degrade the environment because of the exhaust produced, is also a cheaper option than conventional funeral practices.
Green burial services also may not provide much assistance to a grieving family. When deaths are unexpected, people may make emotional decisions. Traditional funeral parlors will help arrange the ceremony and obtain the death certificate so the family does not have to. Many funeral parlors also supply an obituary for the family. If a family plans a green burial in advance, they will be prepared when a death occurs. But for many people, unexpected deaths are better handled through conventional services.
For some, natural burial may not be possible because of laws in their state. Each state has different laws concerning burial and body transportation. In New Jersey, a body must be buried within 48 hours. After 48 hours, a body needs to be frozen or embalmed. In New York, only funeral directors can handle bodies, so green burials are often difficult since most funeral parlors do not offer environmentally friendly services. Many states do not allow unembalmed bodies to cross state lines. While natural cemeteries will inter ashes from other states, green burials are not accessible to the majority of people in the United States. Very few cemeteries allow natural burial. Therefore, green burials are rarely an option for the most people.
For people concerned about the environment, green burials are a way to give back and promote environmentalism. Unfortunately, as shown above, green burials are not an option for many people because of legislation. But as more people consider natural burials, more services and cemeteries will become available, especially in the traditional funeral industry. As a consumer-based business, funeral parlors will provide the services that people want to see. With a shift in the funeral industry, state legislation may be reconsidered to allow for more environmentally friendly funeral services. Conventional funerals are not the only option. But without public input, they will remain the only accessible option.
