How to Plan a Funeral with Sustainability in Mind

Truth be told, nobody ever loves thinking about funerals (whether it’s their own or someone else’s), but there comes a moment when it becomes an inevitable topic, particularly when you lose a loved one.

Even though to a lot of people, funerals are something depressing and gloomy, there’s another point of view that’s less sad. Those are the moments when you celebrate someone’s life, reflect on the times you spent with them, and so much more.
In these circumstances, you want to do your best to properly say goodbye to them and make certain choices that will align with their values. One of those right choices is to opt for sustainability.

That’s something that a person who passed away will surely appreciate a lot, plus, you’ll show how much you care for the planet, even in these instances. Therefore, if you’d like to know how to do it sustainably, then these are the steps that you should take.

Start With A Funeral Home

Although you are currently overwhelmed with grief, bear in mind that you still need to make different important decisions right now, and one of them is to pick a good funeral home. That’s something that plays a significant role in these situations, making sure that all the wishes and needs of a person who has passed away are respected.

In order to do this the right way, start by doing thorough research to find a funeral home that will meet all the necessary demands. Search for those that are in your vicinity, and don’t forget to either go through online reviews to see what others stated about them, or go directly to their website to get a glimpse of the quality of services they offer.

It’s also worth checking whether funeral insurance can help cover some of the costs associated with the arrangements. Having a funeral insurance policy in place can significantly ease the financial burden on your family during this emotional time.

It would be advisable to choose a location that’s easily accessible for everyone who plans to attend it. Also, it’s of huge importance to pick experienced funeral directors because they won’t only make funeral arrangements, but will also provide you and your family with emotional support and guidance, which is invaluable in these moments. Their main goal should be to alleviate your burden, making sure that this whole process goes as smoothly as possible.

You are already going through so much, so it’s pivotal to hire someone who will decrease this huge emotional stress by handling various intricate tasks on your behalf.

A Natural Setting Is Always A Wonderful Idea

Certainly, one of the easiest, yet most effective ways to create a memorial that’s eco-friendly is to host it outside. If you choose a breathtaking setting, then you won’t need to worry about any decorations, and so on.

Luckily, there are so many beautiful options when it comes to this, starting from the local parks, riverside, conservation areas, etc. If none of these options seem right to you, yet you have a backyard, then that’s another great idea worth considering.
In fact, it may make things even more intimate. On the flip side, if you’re planning on scattering ashes, then be sure to first check local rules and regulations to see if something like that is allowed.

What Do You Think About Numerous Cremation Options?

Many people opt for cremation when they’re interested in something that’s quite convenient, yet that isn’t as costly; however, it doesn’t make it less environmentally harmful. Thankfully, nowadays, you can come across different alternatives as far as this goes that are far greener.

One of the best examples of it is aquamation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis, which represents a mixture of alkali, heat, and water to return remains to their basic elements without utilizing too much energy.

In a nutshell, this solution is far more sustainable in comparison to conventional cremation. Another alternative that’s worth considering is human composting, during which remains are turned into soil that’s high in nutrients that can be used for forests, gardens, and other places.

Both of these options are fantastic for those who are more eco-conscious, but sadly, they aren’t accessible everywhere.

Pick Sustainable Materials

If you’re looking for environmentally-friendly materials, then you should choose biodegradable alternatives, like cloth shrouds and/or caskets that were made from biodegradable fibers, and similar materials.

These options not only help the body decompose naturally, but they also positively impact the regeneration of the planet. If you want to ensure the funeral is really sustainable, then consider employing materials such as seagrass, bamboo, and others.

Planning an eco-friendly memorial doesn’t need to be challenging at all. As you can see, the changes that need to be made are relatively small, yet will make sure you say goodbye to the person you loved so much, without harming the environment.