Part of living in the modern world is understanding that our influences on the planet are not insignificant. Many people are coming to the conclusion that making more eco-friendly choices in life is the responsible thing to do. This can be something as simple as taking reusable bags to the grocery store, or it could go as far as planning your own final arrangements in a more eco-friendly way. Your funeral home near College Park, MD can help you make these types of arrangements if it’s something that is important to you.

If you are putting together your own final arrangements or those of a loved one, you might be wondering how you can do it in a way that is better for the environment. One way to do this is by opting for a “green burial”. A green burial can mean many different things, and you don’t have to go to the most extreme route to improve your ecological footprint. One of the simplest ways to make burial more eco-friendly is by choosing a casket that is made of natural, untreated materials. Many traditional caskets are made from materials that have been treated with chemicals that extend their life significantly. For one thing, these chemicals can be extremely toxic to the soil. Additionally, it means that the caskets will sit beneath the soil without returning to a natural state for a much longer period of time.

If you want to go a step further, you can search out a cemetery that allows for burials without a concrete vault. Most cemeteries require a concrete vault to be placed in each burial site so that the soil does not collapse over time. However, these vaults inhibit the natural process of returning the body back to the environment. Some cemeteries even allow for the use of natural grave markers, as opposed to traditional headstones. These can be anything from a decorative tree or bush, to a patch of native perennial wildflowers. If your loved one was passionate about plants and nature in general, this could be a very meaningful and beautiful way to mark their place of rest.

Another way to create a greener burial is by skipping the practice of embalming. Many traditional funerals are preceded by a viewing, which requires preserving techniques that allow the person’s remains to last longer than they naturally would. Many of the chemicals used in these methods are toxic to the environment, and after burial, they are introduced to the soil. By foregoing this step, you can avoid contributing to this type of harm.

These are just a few ways that you can create a more eco-friendly funeral and burial for yourself or a loved one. Regardless of whether you choose to do all or just one of these items, you can take comfort in the fact that you’re making a more responsible decision for the planet. Taking care of our planet for future generations is becoming more and more important every day. Your funeral home near College Park, MD, can help you to plan an eco-friendly funeral and burial, and you can feel more at peace as a result.