A realistic look at green burial practices 

BY STEPHANIE DROSTE-PACKHAM FOR GREENING OF OIL

We are constantly thinking of ways to reduce our carbon footprint. We change our light bulbs to the more efficient squiggly ones, we use our reusable water bottles, and we recycle. But just think of the ultimate of ultimate green moves: an environmentally conscious "green" burial.

As the thought of burying resources seems to be becoming increasing absurd, we are looking for more reasonable eternal options. Mary Woodsen's Real Money says, "Each year in U.S. cemeteries, we bury 827,060 gallons of embalming fluid, which includes formaldehyde; 180,544,000 pounds of steel; 5,400,000 pounds of copper and bronze; and 30 million board feet of hardwoods, including tropical woods."

In thoughtful response to this reality, green cemeteries are popping up across the country and they're gaining popularity. According to a recent poll by AARP, over 70% of those asked chose a green burial over a traditional burial or cremation. Natural "green" burials are characterized by the use of only biodegradable materials, no embalming fluids or other chemicals we usually associate with the postmortem experience.

The embalming process was perfected by Thomas Holmes, and our other funeral founding fathers, during the civil war to preserve the bodies of soldiers being shipped home for burial. Today, the practice of embalming adds another $200 to $575 onto the bill, and although most of us don't know it, embalming isn't legally required.

As environmentally minded citizens, money is one thing, but the chemicals used in the embalming process is another. Embalming fluid's most infamous ingredient is formaldehyde, which is used to preserve the body’s tissues to prolong decomposition. The problem with formaldehyde is that it leaches into ground water as the body decomposes underground. Because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties, the European Union is currently discussing a ban on embalming fluid.

Another benefit to choosing a green cemeteries is that they attempt to maintain the natural surroundings. Many forgo headstones and instead families may plant trees or flowers. Some natural burial areas in the country, like The Meadow, a green cemetery in Ferndale, Wash., place microchips in each burial plot so it may be located by a device like a GPS later on.

Another alternative to a traditional burial is cremation, but now there's even a green alternative to the alternative: promession, the brainchild of Swedish biologist Susanne Wiigh-Masak. Although it's only available in Europe, South Korea and South Africa, promession accomplishes the goal of cremation without emitting any pollution in the atmosphere. The process essentially freezes the body by dipping it in liquid nitrogen and then vibrates it at a low frequency. Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase "from dust to dust."

By dehydrating the particles of the body, the chemical make up remains unaltered and organic. After the heavy metals are filtered out, the ashes are placed in a biodegradable box to be buried. No muss, no fuss, nothing extra, just the one you love. After promession, it only takes 6-18 months for the remains to break down and reenter the nutrient cycle.

If you've seen Avatar, you may remember the concept of our energy merely being borrowed. One day we all have to give it back. Green cemeteries and promession are options that allow us to make the ultimate green choice, to really help push up daisies.

Green Burial Council

Green burial products

Natural burial sites

About Stephanie Droste-Packham

Droste-Packham has been studying environmental sociology at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville since 2006 and will graduate in May.

After completing an internship with the Student Conservation Association in Rocky Mountain National Park as a sophomore, she moved to the small, French island of Reunion to study and teach.

Through her experiences, she has found that most everyone appreciates and wants to protect our environment, but it's often difficult to find the hows and whys of the do's and don'ts. She loves finding answers, and the more complex the problem, the better. After graduation, her goal is to find an outlet to educate and to learn in every moment thereafter.

Contact Stephanie Droste-Packham at sdpackham@gmail.com.