After Moira Cathleen Delaney faced a tough battle with aggressive intestinal cancer, she considered what to do with her body after death. Inspired by her love for nature, Delaney chose to be transformed into soil through a process called natural organic reduction.
When she passed away at 57 in October, her family honored her wishes. They placed some of her remains under her favorite tree and shared the rest with close friends, allowing them to keep or plant her in glass jars. Her son, Marcos Moliné, reflected, “It was comforting for her to think of returning to the earth and contributing to life.”
Recent studies, including one by the National Funeral Directors Association, show that more people are looking for eco-friendly body disposal options. Many are concerned about the environmental impact of traditional practices like embalming, cremation, and casket burials. “How we die can significantly affect our communities and the planet,” said Mark Shelvock, a psychotherapist and co-author of a paper on green death practices.
Common Disposal Practices
Embalming typically involves harmful chemicals like formaldehyde to slow down decomposition for viewing. The Environmental Protection Agency warns that this gas can pose health risks, especially for workers in settings where it’s used. While the risk of soil or groundwater contamination is low, the health concerns remain significant.
Cremation is the most common practice in the U.S., preferred by nearly two-thirds of people surveyed. However, this method consumes a lot of energy—about the same as powering a 2,000-square-foot home for a week.
Caskets and vaults, usually made from wood, metal, or concrete, demand significant resources for production and maintenance. Concrete alone accounts for about 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions.
Cemeteries require extensive upkeep, which further drains energy and resources. Samuel Perry of the Green Burial Council noted, “Cemeteries involve maintenance that resembles caring for a golf course.”
Exploring Eco-Friendly Options
Natural burials, like those at Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery in Florida, allow bodies to decompose without synthetic materials. This method involves hand-dug graves and biodegradable caskets, fostering land conservation. Scott King learned to appreciate this simplicity when he buried his mother there last year. “Through death, life begets life,” he said, emphasizing the beauty of returning to nature.
Natural burials have ecological benefits as well. According to the Green Burial Council, they can sequester about 25 pounds of carbon, aiding in carbon capture and promoting biodiversity.
Natural Organic Reduction, or human composting, is another rising option. Companies like Earth Funeral use a sealed vessel to break down the body into soil in a natural process, benefiting conservation projects. This method is quickly gaining acceptance, with 14 states allowing it and more considering legalization.
Alkaline hydrolysis, or water cremation, also mimics natural decomposition. Using a mix of water and potassium hydroxide, this method is energy-efficient—consuming about 90% less energy than traditional cremation. Companies like Be a Tree return the remains in a powdered form, often used as fertilizer for gardens.
Experts recognize that while individual choices may seem small, collectively, they can drive change in the funeral industry. Perry added, “If we improve practices industry-wide, we will see a greater impact on our environment.”
Understanding these options helps individuals make meaningful choices that align with their values and beliefs about life and death.
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