Green Funerals

A green funeral can be a beautiful way to return to the earth naturally and leave as little impact on the environment as possible. Every funeral or memorial service can incorporate elements that are eco-friendly, from the casket you choose to the location your loved one will be laid to rest. We can help you plan a funeral service for your loved one that honors their life in an environmentally responsible way.

We can help answer some of the most common questions people have about eco-friendly funeral services.

Although “green burials” and “eco-friendly memorials” sound like the latest trend in funerals, in practice they've been around since humans have buried their loved ones. However, once embalming became standard practice in the Civil War, natural burials lost favor with the majority of Malaysia society. Now, green burials take on a whole different meaning with the traditions, technology, and climate concerns of today.

01.

What exactly is a “green funeral?”

There isn't a universally recognized definition for exactly what a green funeral is, but all green funerals aim to have as little negative impact on the earth as possible. Funerals can have multiple eco-friendly elements that will vary from family to family. However, a green burial is one in which the body is placed directly in the soil with a shroud or in a biodegradable container and allowed to decompose naturally, without embalming or the use of a burial vault.

02.

What are things I can do to make a funeral more sustainable?

A funeral doesn't have to be completely “green” for a family to minimize their carbon footprint when saying goodbye to a loved one. A family may ask guests to carpool or forego a procession with hearse and limos, choose digital announcements rather than paper, opt for a meat-free reception, or ask guests to donate to an environmental fund in the deceased's name in lieu of sending flowers. A funeral director can help you decide which elements of a funeral you'd like to incorporate for a more sustainable service.

03.

Is cremation bad for the environment?

Both cremation and traditional burial use more resources than a natural burial. Fossil fuels are used to power the retort, or cremation chamber, and emissions are released into the environment. While cremation is more environmentally friendly than a traditional funeral, a green burial is, as you probably guessed, the most sustainable option.

04.

Why should someone consider a green funeral?

Green funerals reduce the ecological footprint by avoiding non-biodegradable materials and toxic chemicals, promote sustainability through the use of renewable resources and practices, align with personal or religious beliefs about preserving nature, and can be more cost-effective due to simpler services and materials.

05.

What are the environmental benefits of a green funeral?

Green funerals offer significant environmental benefits by reducing the carbon footprint through the use of biodegradable materials and avoiding toxic embalming chemicals. They promote the conservation of resources by utilizing renewable materials and eliminating the need for non-renewable ones like metal or concrete. Natural burial sites contribute to land conservation and habitat preservation, while also preventing the release of pollutants into the soil and water systems.