Natural burial as a land conservation tool in the US

Beyond the Corporatization of Death Systems: Towards Green Death Practices

“…While environmentally sustainable death practices seem to vary considerably from region to region, such practices may include utilizing biodegradable coffins that are made from cardboard instead of hardwood, or utilizing environmentally friendly markers for memorializing purposes rather than granite or concrete tombstones ( Brennan, 2014 ). Green or natural burials such as these could substantially reduce costs associated with burial, as there is no need for expensive caskets, embalming, or concrete vaults ( Coutts et al., 2018 ). Green burial practices are guided by ecologically conscious principles, which suggest: i) deceased persons should not be embalmed; ii) deceased persons should receive a direct earth burial; iii) the burial should promote ecological restoration and conservation (i.e.…”

“…The use of woodland environments avoids further environmental pollution by eliminating the need to use pesticides, fertilizers, and/or fuel for machinery which is used to maintain urban cemeteries ( Brennan, 2014 ). Green and natural cemeteries use far fewer resources than a traditional cemetery and are increasingly being utilized for land conservation efforts as a means to promote habitat restoration ( Coutts et al., 2018 ). Cremation is often avoided in green death practices due to the negative impacts on environmental health as previously stated; however, this appears to be changing as alkaline hydrolysis, also known as water or flameless cremation, is becoming legalized across North America ( Brennan, 2014 ).…”

“…Green death practices, which are typically rather simple and straightforward processes, are at risk of becoming increasingly more extravagant. This is a legitimate concern given evidence of how the contemporary funeral industry has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar industry, and how memorialization and leaving a legacy has become contorted by consumer culture ( Coutts et al., 2018 ; Mitford, 1963 ). Green death practices may be fetishized and/or perceived as exotic because they are outside the ‘norm,’ and thus the demand of a new consumer trend may offer the opportunity for the death industry to create a new revenue stream.…”

Up in smoke or down with worms? older adult environmentalist’s discourse on disposal, dispersal, and (green) burial

“…One study concluded that an older Jewish cemetery contributed in a measurably positive way to conservation efforts in Berlin (Kowarik et al, 2016;Löki et al, 2019). Coutts et al (2018) also address the major concern over land by involving green burial grounds in conservation planning.…”

Sustainability Crisis of Deathstyles

“…Although the practice of cremation solves the issue of land scarcity via the physical reduction of human remains, the combustion of carbon-based materials contributes directly to air pollution (Coutts et al, 2018, p. 131). The pollutants resulting from this combustion, along with other trace elements, includes: nitrogen oxides (NO x ), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), particulate matter (PM), heavy met-als, dioxins, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (Coutts et al, 2018;Mari & Domingo, 2010;Xue et al, 2018). Dioxins and heavy metals raise particular concern because of their toxicity and ability to bioaccumulate in the fatty tissue of organisms (Mari & Domingo, 2010, p. 131).…”