The people in today’s world are much more aware of their impacts on the environment than ever before. Many people are taking action in their lives to lessen their negative impact on the planet. This can even be done after we are gone. For instance, if a person wishes to have a traditional funeral followed by a burial, you can make some changes to make the whole process more eco-friendly. Your funeral home near Woodstock, GA, can help you find out what’s available to you. Here are some ideas to make a funeral and burial “greener”.

One of the biggest negative aspects of traditional funeral and burial are the chemicals that are involved. Embalming uses harmful substances like formaldehyde, and most coffins are treated with toxic chemicals meant to slow deterioration. These toxins will slowly leech into the soil, causing lasting harm to the local ecosystem. Fortunately, the use of these substances can be lessened or even avoided altogether. There are some more natural alternatives to traditional embalming, although none of them are quite as effective. You’ll likely have to make sure to plan the funeral soon after the person’s death, or you may just choose to hold a visitation rather than a viewing. As far as coffins go, there are many options out there that are not chemically treated. You can find a simple, untreated wooden coffin that will not harm the soil once buried. Some people even use a simple, natural shroud made of cotton, silk, linen, or wool. These materials are biodegradable and perfectly safe to bury in the earth.

You can find certain cemeteries that offer more eco-friendly options. This might include foregoing the concrete container that most graves have. These are usually present to keep the land level, and they also provide a barrier that slows down decomposition and deterioration. However, if you don’t use one, then the person who is buried can return to the earth at a much more natural pace. Some places will even allow you to use a natural grave marker, as opposed to a traditional gravestone. Some ideas for this might include a patch of natural wildflowers, or a decorative tree or bush. In addition to providing a beautiful marker for your loved one’s place of rest, you can also positively contribute to the environment.

Most people cannot do all or even most of these things that make a burial more eco-friendly. Whether you take the smallest steps or make the biggest effort, anything you can do to lessen your negative impact on the planet is a good thing. If you’re wondering what kind of things you can do for your own final arrangements, or for those of a nature-loving family member, simply contact your funeral home near Woodstock, GA. They will have merchandise, resources, and suggestions that can help you to plan a greener funeral and burial. Even the smallest effort counts, and you can take comfort in knowing that you have made sure to minimize your impact on the planet for generations to come.