An average cremation can produce 535 pounds of CO2 for just one person! Movements to regulate funeral homes and cemeteries have been in place in the United States as far back as the 1960s. Environmentalists have coined the term “green burial” as a way to describe lowering your environmental impact once you pass away.

This concept is not new and has been practiced in Indigenous communities throughout history. The industrialization or the “American Way” of death has disconnected us as a society from what the circle of life is truly about. Corinne Elicone, an Events and Outreach Coordinator at Mount Auburn Cemetery says, “We need to be more inclusive in the way we talk about Green Burial, because social justice has always demanded that from environmentalism, but so rarely have white environmentalists ever risen to the occasion.” 

Consider planning for non-industrialized methods of burial, such as biodegradable options including cardboard caskets, woven caskets, willow caskets, Shroud fabrics or mushroom shrouds, and paper or fiber urns, and asking mourners to refrain from bringing cut flowers. Even if they don’t keep them on-hand, your funeral provider should be able to order environmentally-friendly options for you.