You have choices
…likely more choices than you thought you had.
Making decisions around end of life can be daunting. Understanding what is possible for end-of-life plans and burial may actually alleviate fears, demystify a process and empower you to make the right choices for yourself or loved ones.
“Not everything that can be faced can be changed.
But nothing can be changed until it’s faced”
— JAMES BALDWIN
BURIALS
What kind of burial do you want to have?
Illustration by Landis Blair from the book “From Here to Eternity” by Caitlin Doughty
STANDARD VS. GREEN BURIALS
STANDARD BURIALS
body is likely embalmed
body is laid in a coffin usually made of lacquered wood, and/or metal
cemeteries often require a ‘vault’ that the coffin sits in. Vaults are typically made of concrete or fiberglass. The purpose of the vault is to prevent gradual sinking or caving in of the soil
fertilizer and pesticides may be used on cemetery lawns
additional costs for embalming, vault, and landscaping maintenance
body decomposes inside the coffin and vault
burial depth is close to 6 ft deep
burial sites can be marked with headstones or plaques
GREEN BURIALS
choosing to minimize negative impacts on the environment
body is not embalmed
body is wrapped in a biodegradable shroud usually made of cotton or silk
body can be directly buried into the earth, or placed in a natural material casket (unfinished pine, woven willow, bamboo or seagrass casket)
green burial sites are less manicured and more natural
body decomposes directly into soil or with its natural container
burial depth is less than 6 feet where soil is more aerated, active bacteria and insects exists to facilitate decomposition
burial site can be marked with etched natural stones or wood plaques
OTHER
Sea Burial: the body is shrouded in biodegradable materials (weights added) and taken out to ocean waters at a specific distance from shore
Article: A Green Death: At my grandparents’ grave rethinking the final passage
MORE TO COME…