ENVIROMENTAL IMPACT OF FUNERALS
As people become more conscious about the environment, they start to think about the ecological impact their end-of-life choices have on the environment.
There are several factors that contribute to the carbon footprint of end-of-life services. Some of these include the choice between cremation or burial, the materials used for caskets or urns, transportation and the maintenance of cemetery grounds.
Burials generally have a 10% higher environmental impact than cremations, given its labour and resource intensive process. Although a traditional burial does not involve significant direct emissions of greenhouse gasses that are used in cremations, the production and manufacturing process of caskets contribute indirectly to carbon emissions.
Embalming fluid used in bodies also impacts the environment, as the chemicals seep into the soil and underground waterways. Buried bodies also release methane as they decompose. It is said that in a 4-hectare cemetery, there is enough embalming fluid to fill an entire swimming pool.
Maintaining a funeral plot also impacts on the environment due to the maintenance of the gravesite and cemetery lawns over the years including the watering and fertilization of the lawns & soil.
On the other hand, cremation releases harmful gases like mercury and dioxin and uses electricity. Cremating a body takes about as much energy as one person uses in a month. Technological innovations, like mercury filtering equipment, are helping the cremation industry to reduce its carbon emissions further, to become a more sustainable funeral solution.
Although Cremations emit more carbon emissions, there is no need to create a sophisticated coffin, saving forests from being cut down and reducing carbon emissions which would occur during the manufacturing process. Furthermore, as cemeteries fill up and their land becomes scarce, cemeteries need to acquire new land, which can encroach on natural habitat and agricultural land.
While cremation has a one-time environmental impact, traditional burial impacts the environment over a more extended period due to ongoing cemetery maintenance.
Green burials offer an alternative to traditional methods as they focus on minimizing environmental impact. They use biodegradable caskets or shrouds and avoid using embalming chemicals. Green burial sites also often permit the natural regeneration of local flora, reducing the environmental impact associated with traditional landscaping.
Understanding these impacts can help families make a decision that honours their loved ones wishes whilst considering the environmental legacy or carbon footprint they want to leave behind.
Environmentally friendly options for Celebration of life events & memorials
We believe at Celebration of Life Events that it is important to choose environmentally friendly options where possible. By all playing our part, we can make a huge difference to our carbon footprint.
Some options and alternatives might include:
Engage local social enterprises or caterers
Reusable lanterns instead of balloons
Choose digital invitations instead of paper
Using long lasting candles
Ceramic plates, cutlery and glasses over plastic alternatives
Butterfly and dove releases
Donate left over catering to Foodbank
Plant a memorial tree but make it native!
