Green Funeral, a More Sustainable Approach for Saying Goodbye

We all try to reduce our carbon footprint throughout life. But have you considered how your final goodbye could affect the planet? People don’t often talk about death, but it’s a natural part of life. In our effort to normalize the Bios Urn®, we hope to traverse the taboo of talks about death and introduce the concept of green funerals, a more sustainable option for saying goodbye.

When discussing the environmental impact, a conventional or traditional funeral often carries a heavy price. Toxic embalming fluids used in burials and harmful emissions from flame-based cremations contribute to pollution.

 

Liz and her family are at the beautiful plantation spot. Image: Bios Urn®

What is a Green Funeral?

Growing environmental consciousness has led to the rise of green funerals. But what exactly is a green funeral? This term encompasses a variety of practices, but the core principle is minimizing environmental impact with key elements to consider:

• No harmful chemicals
• Using biodegradable caskets, shrouds, or urns such as the Bios Urn®
• Avoiding concrete vaults

What about cremations? While it’s often seen as more eco-friendly, it’s not without its environmental impact. Cremation requires significant fuel, resulting in millions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. According to National Geographic, a single cremation produces an average of 534.6 pounds of carbon dioxide. For those seeking a more environmentally friendly alternative, alkaline hydrolysis, known as aquamation or water cremation, uses less energy and produces fewer emissions.

 

“Grammy was always a nurturer to us and now it is our turn to nurture her” – Angie´s Bios testimonial. Image: Bios Urn®

Why Do People Choose It Over a Conventional or Traditional Funeral?

While the traditional methods are still the popular choice, there’s a rising interest in green funerals. Many people are choosing funeral options that align with their beliefs, values, and environmental concerns. The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) 2023 report indicates that 60% of individuals are interested in exploring green options due to their environmental benefits, cost-effectiveness, or other factors.  

Planning a Green Funeral with Bios Urn®

The Bios Urn® – the world’s first biodegradable urn specifically designed to grow a tree from the cremation ashes. Inspired by a heartfelt childhood memory, our co-founder, Gerard Moline envisioned a way to add meaning to this process of life and return to nature.

Whether for yourself or a loved one, the Bios Urn® and the Bios Urn Pets® can be purchased in advance. Many think that our urns are generally purchased at the time a person or pet passes away, but that´s not always the case. Many who acquired a Bios Urn® do so in advance, as a form of pre-planning (or as we like to call it pre-planting.) Buying the Bios Urn® while pre-planning is in some ways self-assertion, as you are choosing to connect yourself with not just a product, but an idea and a movement. The Bios Urn® has no expiration date, it can be saved for as long as you would like. 

Green funerals are rising in popularity, representing a growing movement towards sustainable and meaningful final goodbyes.

To learn more about Bios Urn® and explore green funeral options:

• Forest over Cemeteries: The Rise of Green Burials and the Bios Urn®
• The Rise of Memorial Gardens and Natural Burial Grounds
• Green, Greener, Greenest –The Rise Of Natural Burial Cemeteries In The Netherlands
• Alkaline Hydrolysis is an eco-friendly alternative to cremation
• We Are Specialists in Aquamation: Water Cremation – Nathan’s Bios Story
• How to Plant Bios Urn® in Nature

 

What are your thoughts on green funerals? Share your comments below!

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