Leave no trace

It’s not something that we really want to talk about, but death will inevitably touch each of us. It is a natural part of life. In the past couple of generations, though, we have distanced ourselves from death, much in the way that we have distanced ourselves from the production of our food and the land that nurtures our lifestyle. And in our attempt to wash our hands of the untidy trials of life, we have lost touch with the very roots that ground and connect us all. But in that curious way that group consciousness blooms, more people are awakening to the disconnect that occurs during the modern funeral process. Whereas it was once considered the norm, and even dignified, to hire professionals to formally conduct one of life’s most intimate ceremonies, the detachment of this process is beginning to strike people as disingenuous. As a society, we should look for a means of closure that is more natural. There is no disgrace in surrendering our loved ones, and eventually ourselves, to the embrace of the earth. It is a ritual of reunion between body and soil, not to be restrained by artificial preservation. This is, perhaps, the ultimate gesture of reuse and renewal. What Is a Green Burial? A green burial is the act of returning a body to the earth in a manner that creates no waste — leaving no trace when we pass on. The goal is to reduce our final footprint on the planet by melding into a cleaner, healthier and more intact ecosystem. In preparation for a green burial, an alternative preservation method like refrigeration or dry ice can be used in place of chemical preservatives. Conventional embalming involves hazardous substances and is not required by law except in specific cases of long-distance transport. The green interment itself takes place in a biodegradable casket, urn or shroud. No metal, no plastic, no concrete, no trace. Green burials can also have a much softer impact on a family’s budget. The average American funeral costs about $6,000, not to mention the added costs of burial or cremation, but a home funeral with a simple coffin crafted of natural materials can cost as little as a couple hundred dollars. Cremation Considerations Cremation has long been considered a more environmentally friendly ending than conventional burial, but it does consume an enormous amount of energy and releases pollutants, as well. For a greener cremation, seek out a facility that uses highly efficient filtration systems, and if you desire an urn, make sure it is made from natural, biodegradable materials. For ideas on how to reduce the eco-impact of cremation and find a green facility, visit http://www.greenyour.com/lifestyle/events/funeral/tips/choose-cremation. Basket Caskets Biodegradable burial vessels are not only helping people return to the earth more naturally, they’re also breathing new life into traditional fiber arts. Recycled paper, willow, bamboo, sea grass and other natural fibers are gaining popularity as beautiful handcrafted caskets; and cremation urns are being sculpted from recycled silk and mulberry leaf paper. The Natural Burial Company (www.naturalburialcompany.com) offers an inspiring variety of caskets and urns, and they work to minimize the miles a product travels, keeping their carbon footprint in check. If you’re a dedicated “do-it-yourselfer,” though, check out the DIY Casket Kits and Plans from MHP-Casketkits.com. My heart soared when I read a recent article in The New York Times describing a 77-year-old woman who, in perfectly good health, bought her own pine coffin from a company called Last Things (www.lastthings.net). But instead of stowing it away on account of its significance, she uses her coffin to showcase the quilts she makes! Resting Places A natural burial site promotes nature — trees, shrubs and wildflowers. Unlike many meticulously landscaped cemeteries, water is not wasted and pesticides are prohibited. This is a place where nature, in all of its grace, is free to take its course. Even the memorials — specially planted trees or engraved stones — exist in harmony with the surroundings. The Green Burial Council has established a certification program, requiring that certified burial grounds guarantee stewardship for the future. As in all cemeteries, they keep records of the exact location of each interment. To find a green cemetery, visit www.greenburialcouncil.org or the Natural End Funeral and Burial Services Map at www.naturalend.com. If you own land in a rural area, then you may be able to pursue a home burial. Lisa Carlson, author of “Caring for the Dead: Your Final Act of Love,” suggests drawing a map of your land showing where the family burial ground will be and then paying to have it recorded with the deed. She recommends the site be 150 feet from a water supply and 25 feet from a power line or neighbor’s boundary. Resources The Green Burial Council is a nonprofit organization working to make burial more sustainable, economically viable and meaningful. www.greenburialcouncil.org Living Consciously, Dying Gracefully www.nanbec.com Funeral Consumers Alliance www.funerals.org Be a Tree: The Natural Burial Guide for Turning Yourself into a Forest www.beatree.com