Green Funerals Could Change Our Attitudes About Death

A new wave is on the horizon. It is called Green Funerals. A Green funeral is one that doesn't use embalming fluids, stainless steel, or concrete crypts. It is more of the natural decaying process.

In the State of Maine, two cemeteries are preparing for these types of burials. They are providing a very nice wooded area where individuals can be buried in a more natural type of setting. Chemicals and preservatives are banned from the cemetery. Along with this is the entire funeral process. Some individuals are doing away with the funeral home and just having a wake inside their house or home. A plain wooden casket is used. The individual is cleaned, groomed, and dressed and laid in it. Most of the caskets are homemade by someone inside the family. Individuals, attending the wake, place flowers on it or even write messages on the wood. Some even carve their initials on it.

The home type funeral is an emerging trend that some believe will change the way Americans view death and funerals. The idea of resisting decomposition is changing to that of natural decomposition or green. The cultural way of dying and taking care of the dead is changing. The generation that brought us Earth day and organic food is also environmental conscious. The "baby boomer's" generation is spurring a strong interest in naturalization. As the end of life issues approach them, they are more focused on what should be done. Some people just desire a return to a simpler type of funeral of years past. It speaks to the idea of "dust to dust." this is how people were buried during the first 100 years of our countries existence.

Cost is another factor. A modern day funeral can cost up to $10,000. A Green funeral can run between $1,000-$2,000. It may be even possible to go cheaper. Needless to say, one major factor of concern is buy the funeral home business. To them this is lost income. It is not unusual for some funeral homes to make between $100,000 to $300,000 per week. With the country getting older, this also means more business for them. At least that is what many of them expect.