Green burial
What is Green Burial?
Green burial provides an environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional funeral practices, ensuring the body is returned to the earth to decompose naturally and contribute to new life. Selecting a green burial does not prohibit traditional mourning rituals; families are still encouraged to arrange private viewings, visitations, and memorial ceremonies to recognize and celebrate the deceased.
What is Basic Care?
Our Basic Care service gently prepares your loved one for your family's private time to say goodbye. With the utmost respect, we bathe them, care for their hair, apply a topical disinfectant, and peacefully position their features for rest. We also carefully inventory and return any personal valuables to you. Your loved one will rest in a clean hospital gown and fresh sheet within our temperature-controlled care facility until you provide their chosen burial clothing. Please note that this service relies on temperature control for temporary preservation and does not include embalming.
Why a Casket with Green Burial?
A casket provides a dignified and respectful resting place for your loved one while in our care. A "green" casket is a fully biodegradable vessel, typically crafted from wood, designed to accommodate both private family time and public visitations. It ensures the safe, respectful sheltering of the deceased and provides ease of transportation to the cemetery for natural interment.
What materials are used in Green Caskets?
We offer green caskets made from fully sustainable materials like simple pine, bamboo, and willow. These woven options are incredibly renewable: bamboo regrows from its root in just 59 days, while willow crowns can be continuously harvested for four decades. Designed to leave a minimal footprint, these caskets biodegrade completely within six months to a year after burial. If you prefer cremation, they are an excellent, clean alternative to traditional caskets, ensuring no harmful toxins are released into the air.
Do you need an Outer Burial Container or Vault?
Traditional cemeteries usually require a concrete outer burial container to prevent the grave from settling over time. However, if the cemetery's rules allow, you can skip the vault or use an open-bottom design that lets the body return directly to the earth. If a fully natural burial ground isn't an option for you locally, you can still plan an eco-friendly funeral. By combining natural care methods, a biodegradable casket, and a minimal-impact outer container, we can create a meaningful, green service within a conventional cemetery setting.
