How to Have Green Funerary Services
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If you are someone who is concerned with impacting the environment in a negative manner or if you have a loved one who died who was worried about this, it can be important to know about “green” funerary options. Not everyone realizes that there are options available that can make a difference. For those who want to have funerary services for themselves or loved ones without putting more of a strain on the planet, funeral homes in Richmond, VA have some options that you need to consider.
One of the first things to consider is that embalming is not a good option for the environment. Once the body starts to break down, embalming fluid seeps into the ground, the chemicals potentially damaging the earth. If you want to reduce the impact you or your loved one has on the environment after death, then choosing not to be embalmed is important.
Another thing that you can do to reduce impact on the environment is to choose a casket that does not have any metal parts. Metal parts remain in the ground long after the casket breaks down, leaving litter. To be as environmentally friendly as possible, you want to choose a casket that is made of biodegradable materials. Some people even choose to be buried in shrouds only or in caskets made out of wicker. If that is something that you want, be sure to speak with the cemetery that you are considering because not all of them allow for this kind of burial. Some may require that you purchase a vault to prevent the earth from caving in once the body begins to break down.
Something else that you should consider is planting a tree in the person’s honor. This can be a beautiful way of honoring the memory of a loved one while still doing something positive for the environment. People do this with urns when they have a loved one cremated but you can also do this when you bury someone. Be sure to ask the provider of the services you are hiring to see what the options are and what the process is like.
When planning a funeral or memorial, be sure to use recyclable materials. You may want to have people also make donations for an environmental charity that you or your loved one was interested in. This may not seem like a big deal, but small things like this can actually make a difference.
All of these tips can make the funerary services you choose better for the environment. By not choosing to have a loved one embalmed, you are preventing chemicals from seeping into the ground and by choosing biodegradable caskets and urns, you can also prevent metal parts from remaining in the ground. You can learn more about all of this by reaching out to a Richmond, VA funeral home like us at Morrissett Funeral and Cremation Service. You can stop by our location at 6500 Iron Bridge Rd Richmond, VA 23234 or you can call us today at (804) 275-7828.
