In 2020 it was reported that there would be 72 percent more people who wanted to use the service. Lucy Biggers (creator of One Small Step) and a Shorty Award nominee, looks at the positive environmental effects of green burials.
Traditional burial services use embalming chemicals which seep into the soil. Formaldehyde is one of the most common embalming chemicals. This is present in drinking water from a number of communities. Rare cancers are more common when working as embalmers such as morticians.
Cremation is now more in demand in comparison to traditional burials because it’s much cheaper. Cremation can be very harmful to the natural environment. For 2017 it was estimated that there were enough cremations performed to generate enough carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas. This was roughly 52,000 cars operating for the entire year.
Green burials do not require embalming. Caskets are made of biodegradable materials like Wicker. The graves are dug using hand. Any plants removed to dig the grave are replanted over the grave. Stone vaults or headstones are provided. The body’s body is allowed to blend in with the earth. In lieu of headstones, tree or flat stones are acceptable. Green burials are permitted in every state. cgt5o5u9vu.