Arranging an eco-friendly funeral service (otherwise known as a green funeral) is a fitting way of paying tribute to someone who loved nature and the environment. They are also ideal for those who wanted to protect the planet during their lifetime. The majority of eco-friendly funerals take a back-to-basics structure that simply returns the body to earth. However, there are some general principles to follow when organising an eco-friendly funeral for your loved one. So, if you are left wondering what these basic principles are and how you can create an eco-friendly funeral, keep reading this blog post to find out.
Decide On a Burial or Cremation
Cremation was considered as being environmentally friendly and preferable following the Second World-War. However, modern thinking has been challenging this for quite some time. When a body is cremated, carbon dioxide is produced and released into the atmosphere. Natural decomposition after burial is a lot less harmful to the environment. Many people find comfort in knowing their loved ones are in a peaceful and natural burial ground.
Choose an Eco-Friendly Coffin
In order to have an eco-friendly funeral, you must use a biodegradable coffin. They are typically made from bamboo, willow or cardboard. A wooden coffin may be permitted, but this option involves the cutting down of trees, much less sustainable than willow or bamboo. But, it cannot be made with metal or from veneered wood.
Get Creative With Floral Tributes
Choosing the right floral tribute(s) for a funeral is often dictated by one’s relationship to the recently deceased or bereaved. But, eco-friendly floral tributes means people can get creative with many families opting for charitable donations and limiting floral tributes to close family members only. To create floral tributes that are eco-friendly, you must avoid flowers that are in cellophane wrap, or tied in plastic ribbon, and choose natural materials instead.
Choose an Eco-Friendly Grave Marker
It’s important to have somewhere to go once your loved one’s funeral has taken place, and this can be done by marking their grave. And, eco-friendly grave markers are great alternatives to traditional headstones. Consider planting a tree or a bush that will mark your loved one’s burial spot and honour their life.
Arrange a Local Funeral Service
Arranging a local funeral means that it minimises the amount of fuel needed in order to attend the service. By doing so also means that it reduces the number of miles that need to drive in order to visit the burial site afterwards.
Leave Out The Chemicals
You might not have thought about the chemicals that are involved with a traditional funeral service. The most common chemical that is used is embalming fluid. It is used to postpone the appearance of death. However, there is no legal requirement to embalm a body. It is normally made of a naturally occurring compound called formaldehyde which leaks into the ground when a body is buried. The environmentally friendly alternative is to refrigerate a body instead.
Our Team Are Here to Help
If you would like to arrange an eco-friendly service for your loved one, then our compassionate team can help. We have five generations of experience serving our local community since 1867, which means that every little detail matters to us just as much as it matters to you. If you choose us, we will arrange a time to come and visit you in the comfort of your own home to discuss your loved one’s eco-friendly funeral service. If you would like to discuss your loved one’s funeral with S.Stibbards & Sons, please get in touch through our contact page today. Our team can help you create an eco-friendly funeral service that you will cherish for many years to come.
