What to Expect from a “Green” Burial
These days, more people are concerned about the environment and their impact on it. This can include their remains after death. If you have lost a loved one who was worried about this, a great option is to choose a green burial. This kind of burial puts the least amount of stress on the environment and can be a wonderful option for many people. East Greenbush, NY funeral homes can tell you all about what you can expect.
With this kind of environmentally friendly burial, the body is not embalmed. This is because the embalming fluids that are used are harsh chemicals that will end up seeping into the ground as the body starts to break down. This, in turn, can cause damage to the earth. If your loved one was worried about this, you will want to avoid the embalming process. This can put some restrictions, however, on the funeral home you can choose or the kind of service you have. For example, most funeral homes do not allow a funeral service with an open casket if the body has not been embalmed.
Another aspect of the green burial is the kind of casket that it involves. Many caskets have metal parts that will remain in the earth long after the rest of it is gone. For a green burial, you will want to consider caskets that are made of biodegradable materials. There are lots of options, including wicker, balsa wood, and more. Some people even choose not to have a casket and to use a shroud instead. A shroud allows the decomposition of the body to begin faster, which is what many people who choose a green burial want. Do keep in mind that not all cemeteries allow these options. Some do allow shrouds but they require a vault to keep the grave from collapsing. If this is something that you are considering, reach out to the cemetery you have in mind to see if they allow it.
If you have a green burial, you should also consider a green service. To do this, you can choose to have recyclable materials for the reception or to have people make donations to an environmental cause. It is a great idea to keep the spirit of environmental health in the funeral or memorial service, too.
These are some great ways to ensure that your loved one receives the funerary services that they wanted. You should take the time to speak to the funeral home you are planning on using, since they can offer even more ways you can reduce the impact your loved one’s death has on the environment. Choosing a funeral home in East Greenbush, NY that can offer these services is easy. Turn to us at McVeigh Funeral Home, Inc. to learn more about our many green options. Stop by our location at 208 N Allen St Albany, NY 12206 or call us right now at (518) 489-0188 to speak with one of our experts.
