Funeral services honor the life of a loved one before laying them to rest in a cemetery or mausoleum. These days, “green” funerals are popular because they minimize environmental impacts and conserve natural resources. If you are contemplating a green burial for your loved one, below are a few steps to consider before making your arrangements. 

How to Plan a Green Funeral Service

1. Find a Funeral Home

For a green funeral service, the funeral home will not preserve the body because embalming fluid contains formaldehyde, which is an environmentally hazardous chemical. When looking for a funeral home, inquire about their use of eco-friendly preservation options. For instance, they may keep the decedent chilled until burial or use preservatives that are not as problematic. You should also ask the director about other options they offer. 

2. Select a Green Cemetery

There are green cemeteries throughout the country that specialize in land conservation as well as natural burials. While some sites may allow grave markers, most do not, unless the marker is a tree or a plant. If this type of cemetery is not near your location, you could find a hybrid cemetery that allows both traditional and eco-friendly burials with stone and natural markers, respectively. 

3. Purchase a Green Casket

There are several options available for laying decedents to rest during a green funeral. For example, they may choose a biodegradable or renewable wood coffin. If you select this option, the lining and fixtures that hold the container together must all be biodegradable materials. You can also forgo a casket and wrap the body in a simple burial shroud of cotton, linen, or silk.

Whether you need to plan a memorial or funeral service, the compassionate staff at Northcutt & Son Home for Funerals in Morehead, KY, will help you celebrate the life of your loved one. Servicing families throughout northeastern Kentucky since 1976, their caring staff will help you through every step of the funeral arrangement process and are available 24/7 for support and assistance. For more details about their services, call (606) 784-6491 or visit them online today.