Natural Burial vs. Traditional Burial
September 30, 2009 – 9:19 pm by MarinaHanes
Depending on how we are buried when we die, our bodies are eventually recycled back into the Earth. There is a sense of comfort knowing that there is potential for us to, in some form or another, be a part of the world again after we die. Allowing our bodies to be recycled seems like a natural process, but is it really eco-friendly to be buried naturally without formaldehyde?
There has been recent controversy over natural burials and whether they are environmentally sound. Francis Day of Marsden House Funeral Services told the Nelson City Council that natural burials are more harmful to the environment in comparison to conventional burials. Day says that bodies that are not buried with formaldehyde increase the soil toxicity level so much so that they are over the World Health Organization standards. There is concern that the diseases carried by the body do not die and can potentially contaminate groundwater and soil, which would put communities at a health risk.
On the other hand, Lynda Hannah, director of Living Legacies (a natural funeral service), rebutted Day’s comments by saying that diseases living in the body die when the body dies. In addition, natural burials have shown to improve soil conditions making the soil rich in nutrients and viable for plant life. Who knew that your decaying body could have a purpose? The United States, Britain and other European countries have embraced natural burials.
Conventional burials are more expensive and cost anywhere from $6,000 to $8,000, but natural burials cost between $500 and $2,000. Also conventional burials are more wasteful. If cremated, the ash is waste, and if buried in a coffin, the materials making up the coffin are wasteful. However, if you want somewhat of a conventional burial, you can opt for a biodegradable casket like the Ecopod, which is made from recycled newspapers and can be purchased in various colors.
Natural burials might not be traditional, but there are many advantages: inexpensive, eco-friendly and conservative. If you haven’t had time to give back to the Earth while you have been alive, natural burials are a way to fulfill this obligation.
Tags: eco-friendly burial, natural burial, traditional burial