GREEN BURIAL SERVICES IN MIDDLETOWN, NJ
NATURAL GREEN BURIAL SERVICES ARE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
When planning the final resting place for someone who loves nature and the environment, there are many green burial options. A green burial alters the process of laying one to rest in a way that reduces one’s environmental impact, encourages healthy decomposition, and respectfully remembers the deceased. John F. Pfleger Funeral Home performs green burial services in Middletown, New Jersey, with great care. We are one of the 10 funeral homes in the state to receive a certification from the Green Burial Council. So, you can trust us to guide you through the most environmentally friendly way to plan a burial service.
What Is A Green Burial?
In the conventional burial service, the deceased is embalmed and placed in a sealed casket. These attempts to slow the decomposition process can have negative impacts on the environment. It is estimated that approximately 800,000 gallons of formaldehyde are placed into the earth each year in conventional burials. Green burial services take a healthier approach. Typically, the body is left in its natural state, not embalmed. Instead of a casket, green burials typically use a biodegradable container such as a wooden casket or burial shroud. However, like all burial services, green burial plans can be customized to meet the wishes of the deceased.
Casket Replacement Options For a Green Burial
In a green burial service, a traditional casket is replaced with a natural alternative container. Forgoing a traditional casket allows for quick and natural decomposition. At the same time, alternative containers are more sustainable, taking fewer natural resources to produce. The amount of wood used in caskets each year is equivalent to approximately 4 million acres of forest. Some of the most popular natural green burial casket replacements include:
- Caskets made from sustainably sourced wood, bamboo, willow, or pine
- Burial wraps or shrouds
- Heavy cardboard containers
- Tree pods
- Biodegradable urns
The Benefits of Green Burial Services
There are countless reasons that people are attracted to the idea of a natural green burial. When planning a funeral, burial, and memorial service for yourself or a loved one, there are many things to consider, from cost to ecological impact. Some of the reasons that people choose green burial services include:
- Reducing their impact on the environment
- Avoiding the use of harsh chemicals like formaldehyde
- Remembering the departed in an especially meaningful way
- Costing less money than traditional burials
- Encouraging the most natural forms of decomposition
How a Green Burial Helps the Environment
Green burial services offer many benefits to the environment. In conventional burials, non-biodegradable materials like steel and concrete are placed into the earth. On top of that, traditional burials put pounds of embalming chemicals into the ground. Natural green burials avoid all of these potentially harmful practices. We use materials that degrade over time and nourish the plant life around them. Green burials also reduce one’s carbon footprint by avoiding the approximately 500 pounds of carbon dioxide produced during cremation.
Planning a Green Burial in a Conventional Cemetery
We help many people plan green burial services within the comfortable space of a conventional cemetery. You don’t have to pick a green-only cemetery to benefit from a natural green burial service. The Green Burial Council offers lists of all cemeteries that permit green burials. Some cemeteries may have particular requirements about certain aspects, such as the choice of alternative containers.
Calculating the Cost of a Green Burial
The costs for green burial services will depend on many factors, such as your choice of alternative container. Green burial options are generally more affordable than a conventional burial because they avoid some of the costliest parts of burial services, like an expensive casket and embalming services. Like all burial services, each green burial is personalized to meet the wishes of the deceased. Review the pricing of our services to begin planning a green burial service.
A Funeral Home That Specializes in Green Burials
The Green Burial Council is a professional organization dedicated to sustainable death care and burial practices. They offer certifications to funeral homes that show an exceptional ability to follow natural green burial practices that preserve the environment. John F. Pfleger Funeral Home is one of only 10 funeral homes certified to perform green burials under the seal of the Green Burial Council.
Schedule a Green Burial Planning Conference
Planning final arrangements for yourself or a recently deceased loved one can be overwhelming, but help is available. We offer compassionate and caring planning assistance. Let us explain how a green burial service will work in your particular case. To schedule a green burial planning conference, contact us today.
When planning the final resting place for someone who loves nature and the environment, there are many green burial options. A green burial alters the process of laying one to rest in a way that reduces one’s environmental impact, encourages healthy decomposition, and respectfully remembers the deceased. John F. Pfleger Funeral Home performs green burial services in Middletown, New Jersey, with great care. We are one of the 10 funeral homes in the state to receive a certification from the Green Burial Council. So, you can trust us to guide you through the most environmentally friendly way to plan a burial service.