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Three Reasons Why Green Cemeteries Are
a Better Choice
By Will Dunham
Green cemeteries are quickly catching on in popularity
among people who are planning their end-of-life process.
To date, there are around 200 tracts of land that have
been developed as green cemeteries in the United States
alone. There are also such natural burial grounds being
developed in other countries across Europe.
There are many reasons why natural burial is growing in
popularity. Many people have now even begun to consider
them as a better choice to traditional burials. Three of
the most important reasons why green cemeteries are a
better choice than burial in traditional cemeteries are
listed below.
1. Burial in these cemeteries is more inexpensive than
traditional plots. It usually takes thousands of dollars
to fund a traditional burial. The family of the deceased
will have to spend on pricey bronze caskets complete
with trimmings, a plot of land in a cemetery, the
concrete vault that will hold the casket, the headstone,
and other things needed for a burial. The costs for
these can add up to thousands of dollars.
Burial in green cemeteries, by comparison, often costs
only a fraction of how much it takes to be buried in a
traditional cemetery. Caskets and burial vaults are not
needed. Also, instead of headstones, administrators of
green cemeteries usually require planting a tree over
the grave.
2. Burial in green cemeteries are environment-friendly.
Bronze caskets and their metallic trimmings, the
concrete vault, the headstone and other things needed
for a traditional burial make use of non-renewable
resources. These non-renewable resources are also
non-biodegradable. In addition, the embalming process in
traditional burials makes use of chemicals that can be
toxic to the environment.
On the other hand, these cemeteries do not require the
use of caskets or concrete vaults. If a casket is to be
used in burying the body, it should be made of a
material that is biodegradable. More often than not, a
shroud is all that is needed for the burial. Also, the
use of toxic embalming fluids is highly discouraged in
natural burials so they would not seep into the ground.
3. Burial in green cemeteries promote the natural cycle
of life. Even Christians, who first promoted the now
traditional casket burials, believe that we will all
return to the ashes from which we were made when we die.
More than just a religious phrase, the term "ashes to
ashes, dust to dust" refers to the natural cycle of
life.
We are meant to return to the earth when we die so that
our bodies can help in supporting new life. Supporting
new life is what we do when we choose to be buried in
green cemeteries. Many people believe that this is a
much more meaningful end to a life.
There are many green burial choices available. The most
important decision is whether the person will have a
burial or be cremated. If the person is buried will it
be traditional or in a green cemetery. If cremated will
their ashes be scattered or buried. Scattering ashes
[http://www.scatteringashes.net] is a wonderful route
for a memorial service. By choosing cremation, the
person has already chosen a more green route than
traditional burial. The burial urn is not so much the
issue, as burial of a metal casket and toxins are a not
good for the environment. I hope this had given you soon
useful information. Thank you for reading. |
