Many of us are finding it more and more important to be aware of how our choices impact the environment. As we learn more about how humanity has affected our planet, it becomes clear that we need to make responsible decisions. Did you know that this is possible to do, even when it comes to planning your final arrangements? Compared side by side, traditional burial and cremation services near Woodstock, GA, leave a different ecological footprint from each other. In many ways, cremation services are less impactful on the environment than burial is. Here are a few of the ways in which they differ. 

Traditional burial requires large amounts of land. Cemeteries have become overcrowded throughout the years, taking up large swathes of land with their use. Cremation does not require land use in the same way as burial does. Some people do choose to bury their loved one’s cremated remains, but they take up significantly less space than a casket, and multiple family members can be buried within one single burial plot in this way. Additionally, many people choose to inter their loved one’s ashes within a niche in a columbarium. These are typically built above the ground, and are much more efficient on space. If your loved one wished for their ashes to be scattered or spread, then this will require no use of land whatsoever. 

Unfortunately, traditional burial also often utilizes toxic chemicals, allowing them to be buried beneath the surface of the earth. Embalming uses harmful substances like formaldehyde, which are subsequently allowed to enter the soil after burial. Additionally, many hard wood caskets are treated with certain chemicals that are intended to stop the wood from breaking down as quickly. These chemicals are also harmful to the soil and surrounding environment. Cremation uses none of these toxins, and does not involve any chemicals entering the soil. 

Another thing to consider is the number of valuable resources that go into manufacturing burial caskets. Hard woods, precious stones and metals, and more, are all used in the making of caskets. They will be buried and sit below the earth for an indefinite amount of time, before breaking down (if they do at all). Fortunately, as people become more aware of the environmental issues that come with traditional burial, we are seeing more eco-friendly options for “green” burial. These include biodegradable burial boxes and shrouds, which are untreated and will naturally return to the soil. 

All of this is not to say that cremation is a perfect process. It does release harmful gases into the air, such as carbon dioxide, which are known to contribute to accelerated climate change. However, when compared side by side, it’s not difficult to see how cremation services near Woodstock, GA, have a significantly lower footprint than traditional burial. Consider cremation for your loved one with a passion for the earth, or for yourself, and you can feel at peace knowing you’ve done everything you can to help mitigate humanity’s detrimental effects on our planet.