The Dirt on Natural Burials
Americans don’t like thinking or talking about death, but it’s one of those things we all eventually have to deal with. In the 21st century, we like to think of ourselves as hip and innovative and we’re always looking for the next new thing without realizing plenty of our ideas have been thought of (and participated in) before. Even sometimes in the very recent past. Here is how death is going to be “hipped up” and worth talking about: natural burials.
What is a natural burial?
Two words: simple and natural. Currently, in the typical burial the human body is filled with embalming fluids in an attempt to delay decay, they are placed in a casket made of steel (the pretty woods are only decoration), and put into a concrete vault in the ground. That’s quite a bit of material left to sit, not to mention those embalming fluids are very toxic.
It is estimated 60,000 tons of steel and 4.8 million gallons of embalming fluid are buried in the United States each year. Natural burials aim to have little or no impact on the site of internment. There is no use of embalming fluids, and a completely biodegradable casket (or a simple biodegradable burial shroud) is used to cover the body. This allows for the natural processes to take over and, as they say, “return once more and replenish the earth”. If appealing to your eco-friendly side doesn't convince you, there are always the financial considerations.
A typical burial can cost nearly $10,000. The natural alternative? Around $2,000. If that still isn't enough, how about peer pressure? As of 2008, an estimated 43% of people said they would consider a natural burial. Besides, it was good enough for our ancestors, right? This “new” idea of natural burial isn’t that new. In fact, the use of embalming fluids (as they are used today) began in North America in the 19th century.
It can’t be legal to bury someone outside of what we consider the norm though, can it? Actually, it’s perfectly legal (as long as the cemetery is operating within the confines of the law). I won’t lie. There is a downside to natural burials. The availability of natural burial cemeteries is currently very limited in the United States. As with most “green” ideas, we are behind the curve with only approximately 30 natural burial cemeteries in the entire United States compared to the 270 in the United Kingdom.
No, you can’t just bury grandpa under the tree in the backyard next to the pet guinea pig you had in third grade. Well, you can, but there is paperwork involving approval for land use and a tons of red tape. There are actual places to go for this new, old concept. It may not be possible to find a site close to home and that lack of proximity can really impact the appeal of the whole idea.
There is a way to make natural burial a viable option though. Discuss it. Raising awareness of this possibility among family and friends, showing interest to cemeteries in the area, and doing research for yourself before hand (because there’s no way to do it after the fact) will bring attention to this new, old option. When it's put in a new, eco-friendly perspective, death isn't all that sinister to talk about.
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What is a natural burial?
Two words: simple and natural. Currently, in the typical burial the human body is filled with embalming fluids in an attempt to delay decay, they are placed in a casket made of steel (the pretty woods are only decoration), and put into a concrete vault in the ground. That’s quite a bit of material left to sit, not to mention those embalming fluids are very toxic.
It is estimated 60,000 tons of steel and 4.8 million gallons of embalming fluid are buried in the United States each year. Natural burials aim to have little or no impact on the site of internment. There is no use of embalming fluids, and a completely biodegradable casket (or a simple biodegradable burial shroud) is used to cover the body. This allows for the natural processes to take over and, as they say, “return once more and replenish the earth”. If appealing to your eco-friendly side doesn't convince you, there are always the financial considerations.
A typical burial can cost nearly $10,000. The natural alternative? Around $2,000. If that still isn't enough, how about peer pressure? As of 2008, an estimated 43% of people said they would consider a natural burial. Besides, it was good enough for our ancestors, right? This “new” idea of natural burial isn’t that new. In fact, the use of embalming fluids (as they are used today) began in North America in the 19th century.
It can’t be legal to bury someone outside of what we consider the norm though, can it? Actually, it’s perfectly legal (as long as the cemetery is operating within the confines of the law). I won’t lie. There is a downside to natural burials. The availability of natural burial cemeteries is currently very limited in the United States. As with most “green” ideas, we are behind the curve with only approximately 30 natural burial cemeteries in the entire United States compared to the 270 in the United Kingdom.
No, you can’t just bury grandpa under the tree in the backyard next to the pet guinea pig you had in third grade. Well, you can, but there is paperwork involving approval for land use and a tons of red tape. There are actual places to go for this new, old concept. It may not be possible to find a site close to home and that lack of proximity can really impact the appeal of the whole idea.
There is a way to make natural burial a viable option though. Discuss it. Raising awareness of this possibility among family and friends, showing interest to cemeteries in the area, and doing research for yourself before hand (because there’s no way to do it after the fact) will bring attention to this new, old option. When it's put in a new, eco-friendly perspective, death isn't all that sinister to talk about.
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the Green Burial Council on Twitter @greenburial_org
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