There has been recent discussion in the press surrounding greener and more environmentally friendly options for funerals. The funeral industry has been making continued efforts to make their processes more environmentally safe and to reduce the impact burial and cremation has on the environment.

A recent article published by the BBC sees calls for newer and more green alternatives to be implemented. The article discusses the problems with cremation using a lot of fuel as well as the continued scarcity of usable burial sites. The article mentions a few greener funeral alternatives that are becoming more popular throughout the world but many of the burial services discussed are not currently available in the UK.

This is why we thought it might be useful to go through some of the ways you might be available to have a ‘greener’ funeral in the UK currently. It's important to note that green funeral options may not be available in all areas or may require additional planning and research. It's also important to consult with funeral professionals and loved ones to ensure that the wishes of the deceased are respected and that the funeral meets the needs of the family and community.

What are green funerals? 

Green funerals, also known as eco-friendly funerals or natural burials, are an environmentally conscious alternative to traditional funerals that often involve embalming, metal caskets, and concrete burial vaults. Here are some green funeral options:

Natural Burial: In a natural burial, the body is not embalmed, and is instead placed in a biodegradable casket or shroud and buried in a natural setting. This allows the body to decompose naturally and return to the earth. These are becoming a more popular option as these are not only environmentally conscious but also can be considerably cheaper. There are hundreds of registered sites where natural burials are permitted in the UK (217 at time of writing).

Greener Cremations: While cremation uses energy and produces carbon emissions, it can be a more eco-friendly option than traditional burial if done in a way that minimises its environmental impact. Some crematories use cleaner burning fuels, and there are options for biodegradable urns or scattering the ashes in a natural setting. This provides minimal long term impact to the environment and biodegradable urns are remarkably popular in the UK.

Green Caskets: Green caskets are made from sustainable, biodegradable materials such as bamboo, willow, or cardboard, and can be used for both burial and cremation. These types of coffins have been available for use in the UK for a number of years. They are typically more expensive than wood effect coffins and depending on the material, the price point can be considerably high. 

Home Funerals: Home funerals involve caring for the body of the deceased at home, without the use of embalming chemicals. Family and friends can participate in washing, dressing, and preparing the body for burial or cremation. This can be a meaningful and eco-friendly alternative to traditional funerals.

Green solutions for funerals are becoming more and more popular and necessary as people become more concerned about our impact on the environment as well as naturally diminishing resources over time. Over the next couple of years, green alternatives will likely continue to come out and the more traditional burial and cremations might start to decline in popularity.

However you decide to bury your loved one, we hope you do so in a way that is right for you and the deceased and that you are able to do what you think is best. If you need any support in organising a funeral service, we are always on hand to help and give other suggestions and guidance on what needs to be done.