Eco funerals, also known as green funerals, are alternatives to traditional ways of burial and cremation. With rising degrees of climate change and sustainability, more people are turning to an eco-funeral as a cleaner send-off to the world. The concept here is to keep to natural material, without using excess energy so that leftovers of any type do not contaminate the environment.
What Are Eco Funerals?
Ecological funerals attempt to lessen the environmental footprint of this burial process. It is often brought about by using biodegradable coffins, such as using renewable wicker, bamboo, or even recycled paper. Typically, instead of using cemeteries, many ecological funerals take place in natural burial grounds or woodlands with bodies returned directly to the earth, never embalmed or placed in concrete vaults.
No Embalming: The embalming chemicals used in the traditional embalming process have bad effects on the environment. In an eco-funeral, the body is never embalmed or preserved by some non-toxic, biodegradable materials.
Eco Funeral Benefits
Eco funerals are beneficial to the earth as well as the grieving process; they bring a lot of benefits together:
Ecological: Eco funerals dispose of toxic chemicals and use natural materials that will reduce pollution as well as save natural resources.
Conservation Efforts: Some natural burial places use the collection of burial funds for the management and restoration of wildlife habitats so that their presence is carried on into generations for people later on.
Economic Burden: Eco funerals are cheaper than the customary ones since they are straightforward, with no legal obligation to use costly coffins, undergo embalming, and erect expensive headstones.
Personalized Touch: Many eco funerals are minimalist, a return to nature, and in fact a more personal and reflective goodbye.
Key Elements of an Eco Funeral
An eco-funeral is different for everyone, but generally comprises:
Biodegradable Shrouds or Coffins: Body is often wrapped in a shroud made of natural fibers or put in biodegradable coffins which facilitates faster return to earth.
Natural Burial Ground: These grounds are meant to remain natural, perhaps without a marker or monument. Families might plant a tree or flower at the grave.
Sustainable Practices: An energy-efficient cremation, paperless memorialization’s, and carpooling to the funeral may make the event more sustainable.
Low-Profile Services: The aim of the green funeral is the function’s simplicity, including less elaborate flowers, music, or larger gatherings. The site could instead be quiet and rural.
Why Have an Eco Funeral?
Eco funerals are often chosen as the final act of care for nature. “We have managed our lives very sustainably, so it makes sense to continue this practice in death,” said one proponent. “It just reflects conservation and sustainability values”.
Eco funerals offer an ecologically conscious alternative that is meaningful and yet certainly not your standard funeral. It means to focus on natural and sustainable practices to honour the one loved and protect the earth at the same time. In this regard, concerns over environmental degradation are increasing the number of people opting for eco funerals to say goodbye in a peaceful and sustainable manner.
