More and more people are making environmentally friendly choices in all walks of life. In recent years we have seen an increase of this within the work we do. Have you ever considered how your choices around your funeral could be more eco-friendly?
At James Giles and Sons, supporting you when you are honouring your loved ones or assisting you in preplanning your own funeral to your requirements is our priority. Ensuring that your loved one’s wishes are valued and can be seen to when arranging their funeral. They may have wished to be more environmentally friendly or always practised this throughout their lifetime. Or even this may be a decision that the close family and friends have deemed most appropriate.
What is an eco-friendly funeral?
An eco-friendly or environmentally friendly funeral is a burial or cremation process that minimises environmental impact. This is achieved by using biodegradable materials. There is a way to do cremations and burials in a way that is environmentally friendly and will leave behind a positive legacy, find out about the available options further on in this blog.
Another positive factor to an eco-friendly funeral is that it can be a more affordable option.
Eco-Friendly Funeral Options
Natural Burial: This is one of the more common eco-friendly options. This can take place in a conservation-minded cemetery. The body is buried without embalming fluid, in a casket that is made of biodegradable materials.
Biodegradable Caskets: As traditional caskets take decades to decompose and contain harmful substances for the environment such as varnish and metal. Biodegradable caskets can be made from: bamboo, willow or woven seagrass. This promotes quick decomposition and doesn’t harm the environment.
Environmentally Friendly Cremation: Traditional cremation is generally more environmentally friendly than a burial. However, during the process harmful emissions are released as well as the use of fossil fuels. As an alternative you can opt for a water cremation. This is also called alkaline hydrolysis. During a water cremation they use a water-based solution, heat and pressure to cremate the body. This is more environmentally friendly as it doesn’t release toxic emissions and uses significantly less energy than a traditional cremation.
Tree Memorials: Tree memorials are an extra special way of honouring your loved one. You can arrange for the body of the deceased to be buried in a biodegradable pod that will turn into a tree. Leaving a living form in the memory of the person.
Some Less Common Options Are:
Create a living memorial, you can do this by planting a flower bed or creating a wildflower meadow in the memory of your loved one. This is something you can do as well as a traditional funeral.
Turning ashes into art or jewellery is another option that incorporates the traditional method with a long-lasting method too. Artists can incorporate ashes within paint to create a piece of art in the deceased’s memory.
Other Considerations for the Service
Flowers: When choosing flowers for the service, you may consider seasonal flowers. Your chosen florist may have options to use moss rather than florists’ foam.
Invitations: Rather than using paper invitations, using an online invitation that can be emailed or shared with family and friends through social media is a great option.
Is This Something You Are Interested In?
Here at James Giles and Sons we offer a selection of green funerals, which can be either a meadow or woodland burial. These packages include a biodegradable coffin. With this a memorial tree can be planted also.
For more information please click here. Or contact us today and we can discuss an option that will put your mind at ease and give your loved one the send off the deserve. Telephone: 01527 872318
If you or a loved one is suffering grief, and you think they are coping in an unhealthy way. Please get in contact with the below:
Cruse Bereavement Care at 0808 808 1677
https://www.bereavementadvice.org/ – 0800 634 9494
Find a GriefShare group meeting near you – Worldwide directory of support groups for people grieving the death of a family member or friend. (GriefShare)
If you are feeling suicidal, please call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90.
Contact the team today if you feel there are any specific topics you would be interested in hearing about: https://www.jamesgilesandsonsltd.co.uk/#contact
