Cremation Vs Burial: The Impacts On The Environment

When determining whether you want your loved ones to be buried or cremated, there are numerous factors to take into account. This includes how these actions will affect the environment. So, which is more environmentally friendly, burial or cremation?

Environmental Impacts Of Burial

There are a few environmental impacts of burial. First, there will be a lot of emissions associated with tending to the grave site. For example, a mower will need to be used to keep the grass short. There will also be a mechanical digger used to dig the grave site. Furthermore, burial will take up productive land. The way the beloved deceased was prepared can also have an environmental impact. If you decide to have a wake, funeral homes in Perth will embalm the body. This helps preserve your loved one. However, after burial, the chemicals can leach into the soil. Over time, the embalming fluid can work its way into local waterways. The environmental harm caused by burial can be lessened in a few different ways. First, you can request that a funeral director avoids embalming. You should consider the type of casket you are using. You should try to choose something that is made from natural materials, like wicker. It’s best to avoid models that have metal handles, as they won’t break down naturally. You might also want to consider dressing your loved one in natural materials, like wool.

Environmental Impacts Of Cremation

Often, cremation is considered the more environmentally friendly funeral approach. This is because you don’t have the long-term emissions associated with tending to the grave site. Furthermore, it doesn’t take up any land. But the cremation process can still create some emissions. There are a few ways you can create an eco-friendlier cremation. You might want to consider planting a memorial tree in your loved one’s honor. This serves two purposes. First, it gives you a place to go and reflect on the memory of your loved one. Secondly, it helps to offset some of the emissions produced during the cremation. If you plan on burying your loved one’s ashes, you can request a biodegradable urn. This will be made from natural materials. The most common option is wicker. Your funeral home should have a wide array of urns to choose from. 

Tips To Create A More Environmentally Friendly Funeral

There are several ways that funeral directors in Perth can help you create a more environmentally friendly funeral. First, you can consider the way invitations to the funeral service are distributed. It’s best to send email invitations, rather than printing them onto paper. This reduces the emissions associated with transporting them. You can also create a digital order of service, rather than paper copies. Another option is to ask guests to provide a financial donation, rather than bringing flowers. The money raised can be used to support your loved one’s favorite environmental charity. 

Conclusion

Over the long term, cremation will be more environmentally friendly than burial. This is primarily because it doesn’t have the ongoing emissions associated with the maintenance of the grave site. If you are concerned about the impact of the funeral service, you should talk to your funeral director. They can suggest a wide range of measures you can use to create a beautiful, yet eco-friendly final farewell.