If you have lived your life as the type of person who is conscious about the environment, it is only natural that when you pass away, you would want to ensure that the way your funeral and burial is handled is in a green, earth-friendly manner. This is exactly what green funerals are all about, but unfortunately, not everyone knows that most funeral homes will work with clients to ensure that the service they get upon passing coincides with a green lifestyle. If this is something that you believe you would be interested in, there are a few questions you likely have.

What does a green funeral and burial actually involve?

A green funeral and burial, in general terms, basically means eliminating unnatural things from the preparation and burial process. Embalming, which is a preservation process that involves chemicals, is usually skipped, which may mean it will have to be a closed-casket funeral. Instead of placing remains in a casket and metal vault, the remains will be prepared in a way that they can more naturally return to the soil. For example, if you are going for a green burial, you may be wrapped in a cotton cloth and placed in a fibrous, biodegradable container, such as a cardboard coffin.

Is a green funeral cheaper than a traditional funeral and burial?

There are certain aspects of a green funeral and burial that can be more cost-effective in the end. Eliminating the embalming process can save you as much as $1212. If you opt for direct burial without a casket and vault, you can expect to save a tremendous amount of money as well, usually well into thousands of dollars. It can definitely be a cheaper alternative to go for a green burial and funeral.

If you have a green funeral, will it affect where you can be buried?

If you opt for certain green funeral practices, it is true that it could have an effect on where you can be buried. Some cemeteries and burial grounds have restrictions about how a person is allowed to be buried on the property. For example, the cemetery owner may require that anyone buried on the premises be embalmed or placed in a metal vault prior to burial. It is best to talk to the funeral director before deciding on a specific burial location to find out about different stipulations that may be a problem with a green burial.

Taking the time to understand a bit more about green funeral and burial processes will only help you make the best decisions about your own final arrangements. If you're interested in an environmentally friendly burial, consider contacting local funeral homes, such as Healey Funeral Home, to discuss the possibility.