● Concrete : Cement and metal burial vaults, designed to keep the ground from settling as the casket and body decay, consume massive amounts of reinforced concrete yearly.
● Stone : Headstones are often made from granite and marble, which are quarried using fossil fuels and fuel- intensive processes. ● Water : Traditional cemeteries landscape with gas- powered mowers, synthetic fertilizers, and/or water irrigation systems. ● A funeral director can provide support if the family prefers assistance. Many funeral homes offer assistance for home funerals and burials. ● Burial can occur in a biodegradable casket, or the body can be covered in a shroud and placed directly in the ground. ● No commercially treated, cut, or artificial flowers are used. ● Grave markers are naturally occurring in the environment. A plant, tree, shrub, or rock indigenous to the environment may be used. Funeral directors who are willing to assist in natural funerals may contact the Green Burial Council to be listed as a provider at http://www.greenburialcouncil.org. funeral home to assist them. A funeral home can help ensure that the person transporting the deceased has the proper permit and follows approved procedures regarding cooling and length of time before burial that may be required in their state. Funeral homes willing to accommodate home funerals can help put family members at ease regarding necessary documentation or decision making. Flexible funeral homes can provide the level of assistance needed. The National Home Funeral Alliance (NHFA) provides the following tips to guide families in making a decision on a home funeral option (NHFA, n.d.): ● Consider the condition of the body, the wishes of the deceased, and the level of comfort of those who will be caring for the body at home. ● A home funeral guide for preplanning is important. It is also possible to consult a funeral home that assists with home funerals. ● Know the state regulations regarding transportation, timelines, and burial on private land. Some states require a funeral director to assist with certificates and permits, such as a certified death certificate. ● Learn the principles of body care. Home funerals are typically handled by family members, yet professional desairologists , or mortuary cosmetologists, are trained to prepare a body and can be hired to help. The National Home Funeral Alliance and other home funeral organizations recommend preparing the body according to certain guidelines: Bodies need to be washed and kept cool to slow decomposition; if the time before burial is less than 24 hours, cold air-conditioning may be enough; but for longer periods, cooling gels packs can be placed under the body. ● Consult books available to guide the home funeral process.
Natural funerals Preceding burial or interment, the process of placing a body in the ground, natural funeral services may include the following: ● The loved one is cared for, washed, anointed, and dressed in a natural way, maintaining the natural appearance of the loved one and allowing the family to experience the changes that naturally occur after death. ● They may occur at home, in a funeral home, or at another location. ● Essential oils are used to control bacterial activity, and herbs scent the body. ● Dried ice, ice packs, and air-conditioning are used for cooling. Home funerals and burials A home funeral is a family- or community-centered celebration of an individual’s life after their death. The care, visitation, memorial service, and burial are handled in the home environment. The emphasis is generally on minimal, noninvasive, and environmentally friendly care of the deceased in a manner that mirrors their lifestyle. Home funerals allow families and communities to become involved in the process of caring for the deceased, including washing, anointing, and dressing the body; preparing for the visitation or service; and arranging for final disposition— all in keeping with the religious and/or cultural practices of the individual. The control and participation in the care and preparation of the body are believed to help the family and/or community move through their grief and acceptance of death in a positive, meaningful way that promotes emotional healing. The home is where life memories and family history are made, so many believe it natural that the end-of-life stage occurs there as well. Home funerals historically were a time when families came together to share memories and celebrate the life of the individual in an authentic and familiar setting. A growing number of individuals living in the United States are returning to a hands-on, no-frills experience of death. They follow the body care and preparation steps for natural funerals. Unvarnished wooden or biodegradable boxes replace ornate caskets; viewings are in living rooms; and in some cases, burials occur on personal property, like in backyards. The growth of community-based, nonprofit home funeral groups and the establishment of burial grounds that support home burials indicate an increasing demand. A number of books provide guidelines for families. By bringing the body home, embalming is avoided; family members may even build the casket. When they are ready for burial, family members can transport the body to a cemetery or call a Trends in green funeral resources Green funerals attempt to minimize resource consumption, practices associated with forest destruction, and unhealthy effects on the planet and workers, such as mainstream high-volume flower production. To address these problems, products can be certified as fair trade or environmentally neutral. Forest certification was launched in the 21st
century to help protect forests from destructive logging practices. Like the “organic” sticker on produce, forest certification was intended as a seal of approval and as a means of notifying consumers that a wood or paper product comes from forests managed in accordance with strict environmental and social standards.
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