Monthly Archives: July 2022

Why is Cremation Often Considered “Greener” than Burial?

Many people are taking action in their lives to lower their environmental footprint. As we begin to see how humankind has affected the planet, it becomes more important than ever to make responsible choices in our lives. One way to do this is by seeking cremation services near College Park, MD, rather than having a traditional earth burial. There are several reasons why cremation is considered to be more environmentally friendly than what we think of as traditional burial.

One of the main ways that cremation is more beneficial is reduced land use. Burial in cemeteries takes up significant amounts of land, and some cemeteries are becoming overcrowded. When a loved one is cremated, many people do not choose to bury their remains at all. Some people will have their loved one’s ashes interred at a columbarium, providing a permanent marker in their honor. Others will keep the ashes stored in an urn inside their home. Some people wish for their ashes to be scattered in a meaningful location. Finally, some do wish for their cremated remains to be buried. However, even if this is the case, they take up much less room than a full-sized casket, and multiple different family members’ remains can be buried within one burial plot.

Another harmful way that burial can impact the earth comes from the toxic chemicals that may be buried in the process. Embalming involves the use of substances like formaldehyde, which is harmful to the natural environment. Additionally, many caskets are made of wood that is treated with chemicals intended to inhibit their degradation. These toxic substances can enter the soil after burial, causing harm to the natural ecosystem there. With cremation, none of these harmful chemicals will enter the environment at all.

One last way that cremation has less of a negative impact on the environment is that it uses much fewer valuable resources than burial. Caskets are typically made with hardwoods and metals, some of which are precious and rare. It has been claimed that in some cemeteries, there is enough hardwood buried to build an entire neighborhood’s worth of houses. Many of the materials that are used to make caskets will never decompose over time and will sit beneath the earth for time immemorial. With cremation, you have none of these issues.

All of this is not to say that cremation is a perfect process. It does release harmful gases into the air, like carbon dioxide, which is thought to contribute to climate change. However, when compared side-by-side to traditional burial, it is much less impactful. On the other hand, putting traditional burial aside, there are many more options now that allow for burial to be a “greener” process, using less harmful chemicals and valuable resources. Fortunately, people today have a wide array of options that allow them to make responsible choices. When seeking cremation services near College Park, MD, you can feel at peace knowing that your choices will have made less of a harmful impact on our planet. Contact us today.

Traditional Burial vs. Green Burial

In recent years, there has been a great push to become more environmentally conscious in our lives, and with good reason. We are learning that this effort can even extend into how our final arrangements and disposition are handled. While cremation is coming to be seen as an eco-friendlier option, it releases harmful gases. There are many ways to have a “green” earth burial as well. At your funeral home near College Park, MD, you can ask about the different ways to make a burial less harmful to the environment.

Traditional burial typically involves a casket that is made using valuable treated hardwoods, as well as some type of metal. The casket is buried inside a concrete vault at the cemetery. Many people have their loved ones embalmed prior to burial so that a viewing and open-casket funeral is possible. Unfortunately, embalming and treated wood both involve harmful chemicals, which can be leached into the soil over time after burial. Additionally, most of the materials that are buried will not biodegrade over time.

Fortunately, there are more and more options becoming available that allow for the burial process to be much less harmful to the environment. You can do one or all of these things to lessen the negative impact of burial. One thing that many people are doing is purchasing a biodegradable casket or burial shroud. These are typically made of things like bamboo, untreated and sustainably harvested wood, silk, or other various materials. Unlike traditional caskets, these are designed to break down naturally into the soil, allowing the earth to continue its natural cycle. Depending on the cemetery where your loved one will be buried, you can also request that a concrete vault not be used. Not every place will allow for this, but it is worth looking into.

Another thing you can do to lessen the harmful impact of traditional burial is to utilize eco-friendly preservation methods. Rather than typical embalming, which uses harmful toxins like formaldehyde, you can look into greener solutions. These might include refrigeration, dry ice, or non-toxic embalming fluids. These options will not allow for as long of a period of preservation, so the services and burial will have to take place relatively soon after death.

Finally, many people are even foregoing the traditional concrete gravestone markers. Instead, they are opting for natural markers, such as a tree, decorative shrub or bush, or patch of perennial flowers. These provide an excellent way to add to and even improve the environment in that area. They also still give the family a meaningful place to visit when remembering their loved ones.

As you can see, there are many creative ways to make a traditional burial more eco-friendly. Even if you are simply considering preplanning your own final arrangements, you can explore these options. At your local funeral home near College Park, MD, they can help introduce you to a variety of options for your final arrangements that are more beneficial to the environment. Then, you can feel at peace knowing that even after passing, you have made a positive difference to our planet for future generations.

What to Know When Planning a Scattering Ceremony

Many people who have chosen to be cremated wish for their ashes to be spread in a certain place. This is often a spot that holds significant meaning for them, whether it’s a favorite vacation spot, or somewhere that a special event in their life took place. After the completion of cremation services near Adelphi, MD, the family will often hold a small scattering ceremony to return their loved ones to this place. If you are planning to do this for your loved one, there are some things you should keep in mind before making your plans.

The main thing to know is that you must find out the rules or regulations when it comes to scattering ashes in a certain area. For example, the private property requires the permission of the property owner. If it is your own property or that of a friend, simply asking their permission will suffice. If it is a larger location, such as a stadium or amusement park, you must speak with the authorities of that venue to get permission.

When it comes to public property, it’s important to find out from local authorities what is allowed. Some examples of public property might be a beach, a local park, or even a state park. It’s important to get in contact with someone of authority, such as the DNR, to find out if, where, and when the scattering of ashes is permitted. When it comes to waterways, such as rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, etc., a similar course must be taken. Find out what your local statues are when it comes to scattering ashes in these areas before making concrete plans to do so. Now, the ocean is a somewhat different matter. It is always legal to scatter ashes in the ocean, but it must be done at least three nautical miles away from shore. As a result, you and your family will need to use or rent a boat to travel the required distance.

Once you have determined the location and the legality of scattering ashes, you can decide how you want your ceremony to go. Some people might hold a very informal gathering of close family and friends, allowing each person to scatter a small number of ashes. This is a good way for everyone to say their own personal goodbye. Others might choose to have someone officiate a short service for those attending before the scattering takes place. There is a great amount of freedom when it comes to planning this, and you should do what works best for your family.

Scattering ashes is a great way for you to honor your loved one’s memory, and you can feel at peace knowing that they have been returned to a location that meant something to them. It’s also an opportunity for family and friends to say goodbye, an important step in the grieving process. Cremation services near Adelphi, MD, allow for the scattering of ashes to happen. If you need help determining where you can go, ask your funeral home or contact local authorities to find out more information.

What Does a Funeral Director Do?

Planning a funeral can be one of the most difficult tasks a person has to face. You are already grieving deeply for the loss of your loved one, and now you’re responsible for making important decisions regarding their final arrangements. Most people need as much help as they can get at this stage, whether it comes from friends, family, or your funeral home near Adelphi, MD. The funeral director is there to help everything go smoothly, and they will make sure that you and your family have everything you need to complete the services in the way that you and your loved one want.

First of all, the funeral director will sit down with you to make plans for your loved one’s services. If you would prefer a particular clergy member to lead the funeral, or you have someone else in mind, the funeral director can make the arrangements for them to be there. You can tell them what music you’d like to be played; and if you’d like a tribute video to be shown, this can be done as well. If you provide photos and memorabilia, they can help you put together boards to display these items. Perhaps your family has cultural customs that you’d like to observe; these can be arranged for with the help of the funeral director. Any item that you wish to be included in your loved one’s funeral services can be gotten with the help of the funeral director.

In addition to this, they will be able to help you select a casket for your loved one. If you need assistance in purchasing a burial plot, this can be arranged. If you’d like to purchase flowers, stationery, a guest book, thank you cards, or any other similar merchandise, the funeral director will help you get these things taken care of. They will make sure that you are fully informed of all the involved costs so that you are able to select and plan accordingly. If you need help with informing friends, family, and the community of details of the services, they can assist you with this. Additionally, if you’d like to set up a donation fund to a special charity in honor of your loved one, this can be arranged with the help of the funeral director.

When the day of the funeral arrives, the director will be present to oversee all the services. They will be there to make sure that everything goes according to plan, and if there are any issues, they will be present to address them. This way, you and your family can focus on grieving your loss and receiving those attending, without having the additional stress of making sure things go well.

These are the main responsibilities of the funeral director at your funeral home near Adelphi, MD. While this is a basic overview of their duties, they also wear many other hats and fulfill many other duties. Know that during your time of need, they will be there to help you get through it.

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