With a growing number of people making real attempts to limit their environmental impact, we are seeing the increasing popularity of alternative materials for everyday concerns. The funeral profession is no exception. When it comes to traditional burials and funerals, we are similarly seeing more families seek fully biodegradable options with the aim of replacing wood, steel, and fabrics that remain in the ground indefinitely.If you’re considering a more environmentally-friendly final arrangement, we have gathered the most popular materials for your consideration.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a completely natural, renewable resource that grows rapidly and abundantly in a variety of climates around the world, and can be naturally produced on a vast scale. For green funerals, you can easily find bamboo coffins or urns as they are one of the most popular options.
Cork
Cork has amazing biodegradability qualities and is also completely reusable while also being biodegradable. It is harvested from mature trees which do not require cutting down, which makes them a very sustainable crop. Additionally, Cork Oaks absorb more carbon after the bark has been harvested, as the trees kick into overdrive to regrow the bark which makes their wider usage overall beneficial to the environment.
Mycelium
Mycelium is the fibrous root structure of mushroom fungi. As a 100% biodegradable material, it is grown in a mold with agricultural by-products and waste. This fungus can be turned into building materials, and has the advantage of taking any shape or form the mold is grown in. We’ve even seen coffins made entirely out of mycelium, designed to speed up the return to Earth.
Hemp
Hemp is similar to Bamboo in the sense that it grows phenomenally fast and is hardy to a wide variety of climates, including various extremely adverse conditions. The plant material can also be refined into many different forms and has been popular in textiles for centuries. In the modern day, you can even find urns made of hemp designed for temporary receptacle or to be buried later.
Jute
Jute is a natural plant fibre made from the Jute plant, most commonly known for its use as burlap and hessian. It is one of the most widely produced and cheapest natural fibres, second only to cotton. This would be an ideal material for a burial shroud, already found in traditional religious burials including Jewish and Islamic. Some shrouds will come with a backing board, or there will be an option to purchase one along with the shroud, making it easy to be lowered into the ground.
Cardboard
Cardboard coffins are also referred to as alternative or minimum coffins. The cardboard is constructed to be completely biodegradable, light-weight, and easy to transport. Furthermore, you can customize them with eco-friendly paints and decorations to get it as close as possible to a traditional funeral. Coming together to decorate a casket of any kind can be a deeply meaningful and comforting activity for those involved.
Regardless of what you choose, an eco-friendly choice is a great way to continue to help or give back to the environment, even in death. If you would like to know what we recommend, give us a call.
Article Submitted by:
Tim and Alison Dinan, Owners
Cook Family Funeral Home, Cremation Service, and Hillcrest Cemetery
206-842-2642
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