Individuals Seek Environmentally Friendly Funeral Options

As understanding of individual carbon footprints increases, certain individuals committed to sustainable living are now considering their post-mortem arrangements. Rachel Hawthorn stated, “I don’t want my last act on this planet to be a polluting act, if I can help that.” She is preparing to craft her personal burial shroud due to worries regarding the ecological consequences of conventional burials and cremations. She further noted, “I try so hard in my life to recycle and to use less, and to live in an environmentally friendly way, so I want my death to be that as well.” A gas cremation is estimated to generate carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to a round-trip flight from London to Paris, and approximately 80% of annual deaths in the UK involve cremation, as per a report by the carbon consultancy firm, Planet Mark. However, conventional burials also have potential for pollution. Non-biodegradable coffins frequently contain detrimental chemicals, and bodies are embalmed with formaldehyde, a poisonous chemical capable of seeping into the ground. A recent survey by Co-op Funeralcare, carried out by YouGov, indicated that one in ten individuals expressed a desire for a more ‘eco-friendly’ funeral. Rachel, a resident of Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, created a burial shroud for a friend using local wool, willow, bramble, and ivy, as part of her artistic practice. For many years, she has investigated topics such as death, dying, grief, and the natural world through her crafts and practical items. Nevertheless, the 50-year-old views the shroud, which can also eliminate the necessity of a coffin, as more than merely an artistic piece, and has subsequently chosen to construct her own. Individuals who have observed the creation frequently inquire if they can touch it to experience its softness. Rachel considers this an ideal method for assisting people in confronting the sensitive subject of death. She additionally serves as a death doula, a role that entails assisting individuals nearing the end of life, along with their families, in making knowledgeable funeral care decisions. She stated, “I find that when we talk about death, everybody I’ve met finds it a helpful and healthy thing, and something that is life-enriching.” She continued, “When somebody dies it is often so shocking. We just get on a treadmill of ‘this is what happens’, so I want to open up those conversations.” She added, “I want more people to know there are options and that we don’t have to end up in a box.” The custom of excavating graves to a depth of 6ft (1.82m) originates at least from the 16th Century and is thought to have served as a preventative measure against the plague. When Rachel’s death occurs, she desires a natural burial, which involves utilizing a biodegradable coffin or shroud in a less deep grave. The top layers of soil possess a greater concentration of active microbes, enabling bodies to decompose in approximately 20 to 30 years, as opposed to up to 100 years in a conventional grave. Throughout the UK, natural burial grounds are dispersed and differ significantly from typical cemeteries; trees and wildflowers substitute artificial grave markers, and pesticides are not employed. Embalming, headstones, ornaments, and plastic flowers are prohibited. Louise McManus’ mother was interred last year at Tarn Moor Memorial Woodland, a natural location situated near Skipton. The funeral featured an electric hearse, a locally produced wool coffin, and flowers sourced from her garden. Louise stated, “She loved nature and being outside. She was concerned about what is happening to the environment and asked for her funeral to be as sustainable as possible.” Sarah Jones, the Leeds-based funeral director who arranged the service, noted an increasing demand for sustainability. Her company has grown to four locations since its establishment in 2016, with the increase in sustainable funerals contributing to this expansion. She mentioned that from a “handful” of eco burials, these requests now constitute approximately 20% of her business. She commented, “More and more people are asking about it and want to make choices that are better for the planet. They often feel it reflects the life of the person who has died because it was important to them.” Similar to numerous eco-conscious sectors, natural burials may incur higher costs. Many sites, including Tarn Moor, provide more affordable plots for local residents. A particular site in Speeton, North Yorkshire, operates as a community initiative and reinvests its earnings into the village playground. At Tarn Moor, a plot along with maintenance for Skipton residents is priced at £1,177. Individuals from outside the local area are charged £1,818. The closest council cemetery charges £1,200 for a grave, whereas cremation expenses in this location begin at £896. Planet Mark’s report highlights that natural grounds are frequently located away from urban centers and transportation networks, meaning travel to these sites for funerals or grave visits might result in a greater carbon footprint compared to more conventional locations. Rachel, the shroud-maker, acknowledges these difficulties but anticipates enduring transformation. She desires an increase in local natural grounds and the mainstreaming of environmentally friendly deathcare, while respecting the preferences of others. She remarked, “In times gone by, women would arrive in their marital home with their shrouds as part of their dowry and they would be kept in the bottom drawer until they were needed.” She added, “I don’t see why people can’t have their burial shroud just ready and waiting for them.” She concluded, “I think it could be that normal, but everybody does need to have their own choices around it. It doesn’t have to be a certain way.”