Planning an Eco Friendly Funeral

Planning a funeral is never exactly a fun experience, but whether you are thinking ahead for your own service, or organising the burial of a loved one, you'll no doubt realise the importance of having a service that reflects them as a person. After all, this is the time to celebrate life and to get closure, and it can be comforting to create a service that is personal to them.


Image credit: Rod Waddington, license Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Natural coffins

For some people the thought of shiny mahogany coffin just doesn't suit the kind of service that they want, and therefore the popularity of woollen coffins and more natural options is on the rise. It can make for a much more attractive and unique option, and you can be safe in the knowledge that a tree hasn't been cut down for the occasion.

• Cardboard
• Wicker
• Felt
• Bamboo
• Wool
• Shrouds
• Biodegradable materials

Therefore you can choose a casket that's beautiful and unique, as well as being appropriate for the style of service, but without having to worry about your impact on the environment. These options also allow for a lot more customisation, for example with cardboard coffins being able to be easily decorated and printed in a wide range of designs.

Natural burials

The spot that your loved one is buried in is important, and a natural spot is a nice alternative to the usual manicured lawns of a cemetery. There are strict laws about where and how someone can be buried, and that's why there are designated areas of woodlands and meadow where green burials can take place. This makes it much easier to find the right spot, and means you don't need to worry about getting special permits or licences.

Choosing a natural burial means that you often have a wider choice of locations for the internment, and this means you can enjoy a quiet, secluded spot to mourn your loved one and can appreciate the beauty of nature around you.

Humanist ceremonies

Those who would prefer a non-religious service can often find it difficult to choose the right person to officiate, and they may want a funeral where the readings and words can be completely customised, so you don't feel that it's just sticking to a script. That's why many eco funerals are officiated by Humanist ministers, as they can travel to the site, work with you or your loved ones to plan a service that's completely unique.

Of course, it's also possible to have a religious service wherever you decide to be buried, and some people choose to have a more formal funeral service with all the usual rituals, and then have a natural burial with close family.

Natural grave markers

If the thought of an imposing gravestone doesn't quite suit the style of the burial, then there are more natural options. It will often depend on where you choose to be buried, as every place will have its own rules and regulations, so do your research beforehand if you have your heart set on a certain style.

If you have chosen a more natural burial plot then you'll notice that there are very small, discrete grave markers, and some graves are not marked at all, rather they will have a tree or bush planted. The owners of the site will keep a detailed plan just in case you can't find the spot, and with the use of technology such as GPS you can be sure that the grave location won't be lost. However, some families like to have a natural stone marker or a small plaque that can be hidden amongst the grass, and this can be comforting when people come to visit.

There are lots of ways that people can choose to reduce their carbon footprint, and even when funeral organising they can continue to do so with an eco friendly burial. It also means that if you are planning a funeral for someone who loved the great outdoors and nature, you can be sure that the service and the location will be appropriate to honour them and respect their wishes. With an eco friendly funeral you can be sure that the burial will take place in a beautiful, natural location, giving the loved ones of the deceased a place to visit and remember them.


About the Author

Jason Webber is a freelance writer for GreenAcres Woodland Burials, a company that is a major contributor to the Ministry of Justice Guidance for Burial Ground Operators. They are specialists in green burials in the UK.