If you thought cremation was the greenest option for after death, think again! Natural burial is kinder to the environment, treats our remains as nature would, and leaves our children and grandchildren with much less of an environmental footprint than conventional burial or cremation.
“So what is natural burial?”
Natural burial means the person is buried in a biodegradable casket or shroud in a natural setting like a forest or meadow. No chemical embalming, no concrete burial vaults, no manicured lawns, no rows of tombstones, just a natural ecosystem with graves marked by a small stone or native plant. It offers us a gentler goodbye and allows us to continue to respect and care for the environment even after our life ends. (Scroll to the bottom for a section on busting myths about natural burial.)
“Why not cremation?”
Today most Canadians choose cremation, but what many people don’t realize is cremation releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere (read how cremation contributes to climate change here). Burning anything results in pollution. Natural burial is a much greener choice as the body gradually returns to the Earth in a process as old as life itself.
“What’s happening in the Sault/Algoma?”
An informal group has formed to explore bringing this burial option to Sault Ste. Marie and outlying areas. Our immediate goals are:
- Educate people about the benefits of natural burial
- Find out what “green” burial options are available and make that information publicly available
- Urge people to contact Ross Romano (Sault Ste. Marie MPP) about reducing Ontario’s punitive 40% perpetuity rate for burials, which is not needed for the low maintenance of natural cemeteries
- Explore potential sites for natural burial grounds in our area, perhaps working with local municipalities and land conservation groups
“How can I get involved?”
- Contact Ross Romano and ask a reduction in Ontario’s punitive 40% perpetuity rate for burials
- Tell friends and family about natural burial and the fees issue here in Ontario (natural burial brochure; natural burial video; burial fees page)
- If you are advance planning your funeral or a loved one passes, ask the funeral home what options they have for natural/greener burial
- Join our local group—send an email to info@cleannorth.org saying you’d like to participate in the natural burial group
- Join the Natural Burial Association, which is working hard to get natural burial available to more people in Ontario (you can also donate to them)
“Where can I have a natural burial in Ontario today?”
Our area does not yet have a natural burial ground, but some green options are available: You can use a biodegradable caskets/shroud, choose not to have a concrete burial vault, and skip embalming*. You just have to ask!
Pre-planning will help ensure you get the burial you want.
*Embalming is required for open casket funerals and bodies shipped long distance.
“But natural burial makes me uncomfortable!” (let’s bust some myths)
“Won’t animals dig up the body?” No. The depth at which bodies are interred as part of natural burial is more than enough to prevent disturbance by animals.
“What about contaminating groundwater?” It’s rare for cemeteries to result in water contamination, and when that happens, it’s generally due to materials buried with the body, not the body itself. A casket made with synthetic materials is more problematic than an un-embalmed body. Plus cemeteries are designed with source water protection in mind.
“What if I want a green burial but in a regular cemetery?” It is possible to be buried in a regular cemetery but with less impact on the environment, for example, by choosing no embalming and a biodegradable casket. Most people don’t even know they can ask about green burial options. Explore options ahead of time and ask candid questions of your funeral director. You are not being “weird” or “cheap” if you choose to forgo embalming or a fancy casket with a synthetic lining and embellishments. Your desire to be green even after you pass on should be respected.
“It feels like this is doing nothing to honour the person who died.” Au contraire! Natural burial allows people who are concerned about the environment to have their values and beliefs respected even after death. It is an act of ecological conservation.
“I hate talking about death!” Understandable. Death is a upsetting topic. But it’s much better to make your wishes known now (or to find out loved ones’ thoughts on natural burial) to ensure they are respected when you (or they) pass on. Making such decisions when someone has just died can be difficult.
The reality is a lot of people like the idea of natural burial but don’t know how to make it happen. You can make it happen by asking about it and exploring options now.