As spring brings renewal, many are rethinking traditional funerals in favor of natural, sustainable choices —offering a meaningful way to honor life, death, and the environment.
Spring is officially here, and as the days get warmer and we start to return to the fresh air and enjoy the budding trees and flowers, we are reminded of the cycle of life. When thinking about what this means to your funeral, you may consider green burial as an option.
The idea of green burial is not new—in fact, it is thousands of years old. However, the rising awareness and focus on what is sustainable, environmentally friendly, and, well, green has given rise to more interest in alternate disposition options.
What most of the funeral industry defines as a "traditional" green burial mainly comes down to three components: no chemical embalming, no outer burial container, and the use of natural materials for either a casket or burial shroud. These may include wicker or wooden caskets without metal hardware.
What I like about the idea of green burial is the "natural" element. It brings us closer to the elements in a physical way, returning to earth without barriers or chemical preservatives.
Just this week, I talked with a woman who was interested in the new alternative disposition of "terramation," or human composting. The process consists of a burial container or "pod" containing all-natural elements, such as alfalfa, that help with the body's natural decomposition. The process takes several months, and what remains is a soil-like material that can be returned to the family or used in needed areas such as for reforestation.
Part of our discussion led to her father's death just before COVID. She was with him daily and was able to be with him at the time of his death. I could tell just from her voice how important it was for her to be there, and how moving and spiritual it was for her to experience his last moments with him. We talked about how death is a natural part of life, just like birth, and how, in certain settings, it is a time for family that should be witnessed and felt fully. To witness death is to be in touch with your own mortality. Though the emotions that come with death - grief, sadness, maybe anger or guilt - are quite the opposite of the joy that comes with a new birth, they are just as important to experience. Grief is a natural part of the human experience; blocking it off or ignoring it is unhealthy.
While terramation is still very new and not yet legal in the state of Wisconsin, it may be only a few more years before it becomes available locally. However, we are fortunate in our area to have two public cemeteries that offer traditional green burial: Prairie Home Cemetery in Waukesha and Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee. There are many options available if you are interested in a green funeral, so ask your funeral director today how we can help honor your wishes.
Amanda King
Funeral Director
