Funerals: An Environmental Threat?
The Little-Known Environmental Costs of Funeral
You're probably wondering how a funeral could possibly be an environmental threat. Well, for starters, the practice of embalming the dead is quite bad for the Earth. Embalming fluid is made up of several chemicals; one of these chemicals being formaldehyde, a carcinogen (meaning it causes cancer). This not only poses a threat to the embalmer and manufacturers of the chemical, but also to the surrounding area where the body is buried when the embalming fluid eventually leaks into the soil. Besides that, it slows the decaying process. Though few people relish the thought of their loved ones' remains being devoured by worms and insects, this is a natural process and slowing it down is harmful to the environment. It should be notied that there is no law stating that the deceased must be embalmed.
Fancy, decorated, hardwood coffins also have a negative affect on the environment. Besides being made from rare and expensive hardwood, coffins are covered with lacquers which are toxic. These toxic chemicals eventually find their way into the soil just like embalming fluid does. Coffins are often made of non-biodegradable materials. This increases the time it takes them to decay, thus slowing the process of renewing resources. Not to mention that coffins are usually composed of several metals as well. So plenty of steel, copper, bronze, and other metals are buried (and wasted) along with them.
Though not as damaging to the environment as embalming and resilient coffins, cemetery maintenence is also harmful to the environment. Pesticides are used in order to prevent insects from feasting on the dead and destroying grave sites and flower arrangements. This is harmful to the environment for obvious reasons. The plastic flowers left on graves are also harmful due to the length of time they take to degrade.
Of course this isn't to say that we should just toss our lost loved ones in a hole and call it a day. There is such a thing as a "green funeral" in which bodies are placed in non-lacquered, degradable coffins when buried. Embalming is typically not done in a green funeral either. The usuall fancy marble headstone is replaced by an indigenous stone or even a tree in some cases. Once buried, the bodies are allowed to return to nature without any interference from grounds keeping or pesticides. This kind of burial isn't for everyone, some families will still prefer to have a funeral using tradition materials and processes, but if you're an environmentally conscious person, it may be something to consider.
Published by Don Peysum
Don Peysum is a fan of reading, writing, and twelve word biographies View profile
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37 Comments
Post a CommentIt would be nice if there were an organic method of viewing the body available. Something like putting the body on ice in a refrigerated casket, then transferring it to a simple, unfinished pine box for burial. It seems like this would be a very good business model for funeral homes in urban areas where people tend to be more environmentally conscious.
My mom was cremated, and then I found out that it's illegal to scatter the ashes anywhere. Now I can't decide on where I should go, out in the middle of nowhere, to commit the illegal act of putting my mother to rest. I think all the methods have good points and bad points.
Interesting points. :-)
At the current rate of growth and death, how long until the only "green" land in existence will only be found in burial plots?
If I might add just one more thing--some cemeteries who are running out of room have plans to just dig a little deeper and start planting in tiers. I, too, have often said to just roll me into a ditch and kick the dirt over me, but it's not realistic to think my family would do that. I want them to do what makes them most comfortable. I won't be in this old shell by then, anyway. When you think about it, we each generate so much landfill trash in our lifetimes that it hardly seems one body/one coffin each should make all that much difference.
Although this is a valid point about the environment, I am a traditionalist and would do the same.
very interesting article. these are some important environmental issues that I probably wouldn't have thought of on my own...nice work!
This is a great article, but I don't want to be put in the ground anyway. I feel that way too much of the earth is inhabited by dead people. I wonder some day if the whole earth will be consumed with dead people.. will there be room for the living?
I do want to be cremated. Speaking of which, the funeral home made me have my dad embalmed prior to his being sent to a crematorium. I didn't have a choice about it. I guess that was just extra money in the pockets of the funeral directors.
I hadn't thought of these things. Interesting info.
Embalming is required by most States if Viewing is to take place for any length of time. Embalming is not necessary or required if there will be immediate cremation and or immediate entombment w/o viewing.
NOT embalming and having a viewing, is a much greater risk to health if body fluids start leaking out, not to mention the putrefaction factor if stomache acids leak, which they do (a dull sounding pop emits and the odor and fluid follows)after a certain number of hours..not a pretty sight.
Please check with your state laws regarding Caskets, Concrete Liners and Embalming before making a decision that may or may not cost you.