Green burial tech, as it’s known within the industry, comes in many forms today. The options are expanding to include some truly creative choices that are just as customizable as traditional funerals, if not more. Keep reading to get a closer look at five of the latest green burial options for the eco-conscious.
Aquamation: Cremation by Water
Although cremation is less impactful than traditional burial, there have been concerns over the use of flame and the pollution it creates. The solution – cremation by water. Aquamation, also known as water cremation, is a new type of cremation that uses an alkali/water solution to naturally decompose the body. The process is accelerated through the use of a pressurized chamber that slowly heats the liquid solution.
Essentially, the body dissolves and becomes part of the harmless solution in a matter of hours. The remaining skeletal structure is then ground into ashes, which is similar to traditional cremation. However, there’s a significant difference in environmental impact. Aquamation uses 90% less energy than flame-based cremation, and no airborne toxins are generated.
Biodegradable Caskets That Break Down Over Time
If you prefer burial but want to minimize the effect on the environment, choose your casket carefully. The most eco-friendly options are the new biodegradable caskets.
Biodegradable caskets are very simple in their design and construction. Some of the most common materials used to create biodegradable caskets are sustainably harvested soft wood, wicker and cardboard. Over time, these materials will break down and become part of the soil instead of a permanent pollutant. Prices for biodegradable caskets range from $50 to over $1,500.
Become a Part of the Planet
What if your biodegradable casket was also designed to grow plants? Or what about a biodegradable urn that contains a sapling along with a loved one’s ashes?
Those are the options being created by companies like The Living Urn. Ashes that contain phosphorus, potassium and calcium are added to the specialized urn that have seeds or a sapling. However, ashes create a pH imbalance in the soil so carbon, phosphorus and manganese are added to make it suitable for growing plants.
The idea has several appealing environmental factors. Instead of taking over a plot where no plants will grow, the purpose is to encourage the growth of plants. The deceased individual will also live on in essence, a concept most people are on board with.
Become Nutrient-Rich Compost for Plants
Another way to give back to the environment after death is with human composting. It’s a process that was recently legalized in Washington State and is provided by the company Recompose.
Human composting, also known as natural organic reduction, involves a vessel filled with microbes that can facilitate decomposition. Other organic materials like straw and wood chips are also added to the vessel. The vessel is then heated to 150 degrees. After about a month the body has completely decomposed and becomes part of the compost soil that the family can use however they want.
Help Save Coral Reefs
Water can be incorporated into green burial in another way after cremation. An eco-friendly coral reef urn is a green end of life option that can help save dying reefs around the world.
The process of growing artificial coral reefs with ashes requires a type of special urn that is made with pH balanced artificial reef. Another option is to mix the ashes with cement that is then formed into an artificial coral reef ball. The large form is hollow and sits on the seafloor to act as a habitat for marine life.
Green Cremation Texas is the one and only carbon-neutral funeral home in the state. We proudly offer Texas families innovative end of life services that protect our beautiful environment. If you are interested in aquamation or green cremation in Texas prior to a green burial, please give our team a call.
