If you take steps to limit your environmental footprint in life, you likely want to do the same in death. After all, it makes sense for your loved ones to honor your eco-conscious life by minimizing the ecological impact of your death. While there are several small actions they can take, here are some of the most impactful:
Choose an Eco-Friendly Body Preparation Technique
Whether you’re going down the affordable cremation route or exploring other techniques like human composting, request that your body be prepared in an eco-friendly way. This means skipping embalming, since the fluid contains a strong-smelling, toxic-to-the-environment gas known as formaldehyde.
If you won’t be having an open casket, you may not need to request an alternative. If viewing is preferred, opt for more natural preservation methods, like refrigeration. You may also go one step further by requesting burial in natural, biodegradable fibers, such as cotton, linen, and wool.
Explore Green Burial Techniques
You might be surprised by how many green burial techniques exist, allowing people to minimize their ecological impact at death. For example, some people opt for natural burial grounds with no concrete vaults or metal caskets. Their graves are marked with a natural stone or native plant, and their loved ones find them with GPS coordinates.
Others explore alkaline hydrolysis, also known as water cremation. While controversial, water cremation is far more environmentally-friendly than traditional burial. It uses water and alkali to return the body to the natural elements. In the process, it uses less energy and emits fewer pollutants. Even human composting, also known as recomposition, is growing in popularity. During recomposition, your remains convert into nutrient-rich soil.
Choose a Sustainable Coffin, Urn, or Shroud
No matter the burial technique you choose, your body will be placed in something. You’ll be pleased to know that many sustainable containers, such as shrouds, urns, and coffins, exist. You can choose a biodegradable coffin made of wicker, bamboo, cardboard, or sustainably-sourced wood.
If you’re being placed in a shroud, select a natural material like linen, silk, cotton, or hemp. If you’re being buried, you may like the idea of an eco urn made from recycled paper or clay, or one designed to grow a tree.
Plan a Low-Impact Service
The beauty of creating a will and testament is that you can have a say in how people celebrate your life. When you care about the environment, that can mean a low-impact memorial service.
Request digital invitations and programs to save paper, and ask guests to attend virtually, carpool, or use public transport. Your venue may also be decorated with local, in-season flowers or potted plants, rather than imported blooms, which can have a significant environmental impact.
If you’d love for people to eat and have a good time at your memorial service, offer plant-based or locally sourced food. A low-impact service with your nearest and dearest is also an opportunity to create something that gives back to nature, like planting a memorial tree or garden, or supporting a wildlife or conservation charity.
Being considerate of the environment doesn’t have to stop once you die. If you’re starting funeral planning for the future, now might be the right time to consider the many environmentally-friendly funeral preparation options you have at your disposal.
