Differences Between a Green Burial and Natural Burial

People have become more aware of how seemingly normal activities adversely affect the planet in recent times. Those activities that harm the environment include the methods of disposing of the dead. This has led to the introduction of more sustainable ways of burial, such as the green burial. With cremation services in Center Grove, IN, it’s important to know how it differs from the natural burial if you’re opting for the green burial. 

What is a Natural Burial? 

This is the traditional burial with which most people are familiar. It involves the embalming of the remains for preservation and placing them in a casket for burial. 

What is a Green Burial? 

While the green burial also involves interring in the ground, the materials used are generally more environment-friendly and sustainable. 

The 3 Top Ways in Which a Green Burial Differs from Natural Burial 

Outlined below are the key features that distinguish the green burial from the traditional one: 

1)  The Use of Chemicals for Pre-Burial Preservation 

If there are no religious rules involved, burials don't happen immediately after the deceased's death. As such, there is a need to keep the body fresh using preservation techniques. The most popular method for preserving the remains is the thorough application of embalming fluid containing formaldehyde on the dead body. Government institutions claim that exposure to formaldehyde is highly toxic and may lead to diseases, including cancer. 

However, green burial prioritizes the use of non-chemical methods such as refrigeration and insertion in dry ice. Chemicals may also be used, but these don't contain formaldehyde and are much less harmful. 

Then, green burial advocates encourage holding burials within a short period after death to reduce the need for preservation. 

2)  Use of Caskets for Internment 

Traditional burials always require the use of caskets to hold the body in the ground. These caskets and accompanying vaults are often made of high-grade metals, wood, and sometimes glass, items that are neither biodegradable nor sustainable. 

The goal of this system is to slow down the decomposition period, and even in the end, the body doesn't actually return to the ground. 

However, green burials don't necessarily need caskets. Oftentimes, the body is wrapped in clothing and deposited in the ground directly. The materials used for the wrapping are generally eco-friendly, including wool, linen, or mere cardboard. Whenever a casket or coffin is used, they are usually made of biodegradable material such as simple, plain wood. 

Both the cover clothing and simple wood also encourage the quick decomposition of the body. 

3)  The Burial Place and Headstones or Grave Markers 

With natural burials, there is often the need to prepare the tomb in which to place the casket. The items used for this preparation include concrete, which is not sustainable. Then after interring the body, the top of the tomb gets decorated with headstones made of marble, granite, or slate. These also are not sustainable materials. 

On the other hand, the green burial does away with these "extravagant" products by going for simple, unpolished stones to distinguish the gravesite. The survivors may then elect to engrave the stone with the name or birth/death dates. Other marking methods include planting a tree or registering the site's coordinates via Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. 

Conclusion 

To prevent continued damage to the environment, there is the need to adopt sustainable materials and methods, and this applies to how we dispose of the dead. The green burial offers a perfect opportunity to do this, which is a reason why it is becoming popular with cremation services in Center Grove, IN.