Title: Understanding Green Funeral Products
Every funeral typically uses two essential items – a container for the deceased and chemicals to preserve the body. When you’re exploring environmentally friendly, or ‘green,’ funerals, these are the key components you might need to discuss with your funeral director.
Generally, coffins are pricey. If you’ve recently visited a funeral showroom, you might have felt shocked by the sky-high price tags. Coffins are hefty investments for something that will ultimately rest six feet under. However, the worth of these grand send-offs can be measured differently for each family. Sometimes, investing in a traditional coffin might align with a loved one’s taste for the finer things or uphold their credence in classic funerals.
That said, consider the impact on the environment too. Traditional caskets can resist decay for a surprisingly long time, seemingly defying nature’s cycle of decay and reincarnation. It might provoke one to question if this best serves the environment.
Green funeral products aim to counter this. A green coffin, urn, or shroud are manufactured with an understanding of ecological impact. According to the Green Burial Council, these products are produced using non-toxic finishes and adhesives, constructed from sustainable materials, and ideally shipped no more than 3000 miles. These stringent criteria give green products their eco-friendly status.
Even while considering green options like shrouds, which are 100% biodegradable, it can take time to adjust to this new concept. Given our current world’s focus on sustainability and fair trade, green coffins have the potential to become more common.
Notably, green burial coffins do not require a cement or steel burial vault, which can slow decomposition and potentially harm nearby water sources.
Moreover, green funerals encourage the omission of embalming or only permit the use of non-toxic chemicals. This choice is beneficial not just for the environment but also for the workers who would otherwise handle toxic embalming chemicals.
The primary purposes of embalming include maintaining public safety, restoring aesthetics, and temporary preservation. With the advent of ‘ecobalming,’ these benefits can be achieved without harm to the planet or people. Some companies have developed products mimicking the temporary effects of embalming using environmentally friendly compounds.
However, some U.S states legally require embalming under certain circumstances. While it may seem bizarre not to use this omnipresent method, keep in mind that embalming isn’t as normal elsewhere globally, and several religions actually perceive it as debasement of the body.
Lastly, embalming does not practically impede the spread of diseases. On the contrary, the chemicals involved have potential links to cancer among funeral professionals.
In conclusion, green funerals are a thought-worthy alternative for an eco-conscious society, offering significant benefits without compromising the dignity of a final goodbye. As we continue to pursue sustainability in our lives, perhaps it’s worth considering even in death.