With more of us now concerned about the environment than ever, environmentally friendly funerals are becoming more of a deep consideration. After all, when you or your loved one dies, we all want to plan a funeral that reflects the values held dearest to us. Here are a few ideas showing how you can make your funeral more sustainable.
What is a green funeral?
A green funeral takes into consideration the environmental impact of the memorial and burial, leaving a much smaller carbon footprint than a typical funeral service. There are many ways that you can make your funeral more sustainable.
- Choosing a biodegradable coffin made from natural materials that have minimal environmental impact
- Choosing a natural headstone or going without a headstone all together to keep the site as natural as possible
- Planting a memorial tree
- Choosing a woodland burial
- Having a burial over cremation, as cremation requires a lot of fuel and produces high levels of CO2
- Opting to not embalm the body, preserving a body requires chemicals that are not environmentally friendly when left in the ground
- Organising minimal vehicles for funeral attendees, carpooling where possible can reduce the funeral’s carbon footprint
A few ways to make your funeral more sustainable…
Firstly, consider the probate
Firstly, you want to make sure that your wishes are carried out after your death. Probate refers to the process of granting someone the permission to settle your affairs after your death. Indeed, the person you appoint will be in charge of settling your estate. If you have a valid Will, they’ll conduct all the business necessary to fulfil your wishes. When a valid Will has not been left behind, probate allows someone to distribute the estate in line with the rules of intestacy. If you want peace of mind for your affairs, then you could consider hiring probate solicitors to carry out your wishes.
Opt for a biodegradable coffin
You may want to consider a biodegradable coffin. Environmentally-friendly coffins are made from natural, sustainable materials that will eventually biodegrade, meaning they will become part of the earth. Materials to consider include: Bamboo, Pine, Willow, Banana leaf, British Wool.
“We now have roughly the same number of woodland burial sites across the UK as we have crematoria”
– via Guardian– Prof Douglas Davies, the leader of the Durham University Centre for Life and Death Studies
Consider a woodland burial
Woodland burials are considered more flexible than a traditional funeral. The woodland setting in which the burial takes place can make for a truly beautiful ceremony. Friends and family can recite poems, read meaningful book extracts or recall happy memories of the deceased. There are lots of Woodland Burial sites across the UK. You might even decide to plant a memorial tree at the service if the woodland site allows. Some sites offer special areas such as yurts, large tents or gazebos for a wake. A woodland burial means that your friends and family will always have a special and peaceful place to visit and contemplate.
