Wondering where green cemeteries are? Let’s talk about them.
You see, when people pass away, most of them are traditionally buried six feet under in a coffin enclosed in a vault. Some choose cremation, thinking it’s eco-friendly. But brace yourself; it’s actually not. The energy it takes to cremate one body is equivalent to a 500-mile car ride and releases around 900 pounds of carbon dioxide, not to mention other pollutants.
Yes, the old saying “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” still rings true—the most natural and environmentally friendly way to dispose of a body is to bury it. But here’s the catch: it’s not so easy to bury grandma in your backyard under the apple tree. There are rules and regulations to follow, and you’ll need to plan ahead.
That’s where green cemeteries come in. They’re real, and I’ve even checked one out for this article! The Green Burial Council rates them, making it easier to understand. A single-leaf rating signifies Hybrid Burial Grounds, which combine traditional burial methods with environmentally-friendly practices. They don’t require vaults or containers for burying a body and even allow the use of burial shrouds.
Two-leaf rated cemeteries are Natural Burial Grounds. They prohibit vaults and embalmed remains. All burial materials must be natural, including plants, and the whole site is maintained in harmony with the ecosystem.
The highest rating, three leaves, is assigned to Conservation Burial Grounds, which follow all the rules of Natural Burial Grounds and protect the land legally as a conservation area.
Though you may think green cemeteries are cheaper, the cost is similar to traditional burials. However, the simplicity of green burials skips expensive headstones, but you need to check what the cemetery allows as markers.
Visiting a green cemetery, I found the markers quite fascinating. Some were professionally engraved on rocks, others were DIY-style using wood or stone. Some graves were simply marked by a twig or an arrangement of pinecones, yet all of them felt very personal.
Setting foot there, I felt way closer to nature and incredibly at peace. The sense of connection with nature was overwhelming compared to traditional cemeteries.
So, are you interested in setting this up for you or a loved one? You can check out a list of green cemeteries in the U.S. provided by the New Hampshire Funeral Resources, Education & Advocacy.
For more on this topic, take a look at other posts about green funeral homes and products, and definitely check out the “Ask a Mortician” YouTube channel for a discussion about traditional vs. green burial.