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It makes sense to opt for burial rather than cremation if you are concerned about the environment – burial offers a more eco friendly option, since large amounts of fossil fuels are used in the cremation process - the energy consumed in cremating one body is equivalent to 23 litres of oil* , which releases carbon into the atmosphere and contributes to global warming. In addition, toxins are emitted in the burning process. So if you do opt for burial over cremation, what options are available?
Natural burial grounds can provide an alternative to traditional burial grounds - they degrade very quickly to leave an area which is often indistinguishable from wild meadows or woodland, blending in with the surrounding countryside. They provide valuable green belt land, which cannot be built on (being kept from development in perpetuity by covenants). Further, when natural burial grounds are full, the land can be used as nature reserves or for recreation (for example picnic areas) - therefore benefiting both wildlife and the local population.
There are more than 200 natural burial grounds in the UK. Although facilities and funeral options will vary from site to site, they usually require the use of biodegradable coffins (ie willow, wicker or cardboard), the use of embalming fluids is usually restricted (most contain toxic substances such as formaldehyde and methanol that can leak into the ground) and memorials and headstones are usually not permitted – often memorial trees can be planted to mark the grave instead – further benefiting the environment as additional trees planted will do their bit to mop up carbon from the atmosphere.
Natural burial grounds will often have more flexible options for the funeral itself – as well as catering for those wishing a traditional religious funeral, other types of funerals can be accommodated – for example non-religious services such as humanist or spiritual – and most will even cater for and often provide assistance with so called 'DIY funerals', where relatives and friends of the deceased can organise the funeral themselves, instead of using a funeral director.
And although it seems insensitive to bring up the subject of cost when discussing funeral and burial arrangements for yourself or loved ones, it might also be of interest to know that as well as providing a natural and peaceful final resting place which gives a sense of creating life from death, natural burial grounds often provide a more economical alternative than traditional burials.
* The New Green Consumer Guide by Julia Hailes. Published by Simon & Schuster UK Ltd. ISBN-13: 978-0-7432-9530-7, ISBN-10: 0-7432-9530-7.
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Buckinghamshire - The Olney Green Natural Burial Ground |
