>Resting with Nature

Why natural green burial?

Both traditional burial and cremation have considerable environmental impact from carbon dioxide emissions and soil contamination of non-biodegradable burial materials. Green burial, also known as natural burial or eco-friendly burial, is a type of funeral that emphasizes simplicity and sustainability. It typically requires far fewer resources for the care of the body and skips a number of traditional funeral practices such as embalming and using a concrete vault. Instead, the body is usually buried in a biodegradable casket or shroud without a grave liner or vault.

In California, green options include either full body burial in the ground or at sea in a biodegradable container or shroud. Although cremation is not considered “green”, many people seek a more sustainable and natural way to handle the cremains, and a green cemetery or an ash scattering at sea are both green alternatives to a traditional cemetery.

There are a few green burial cemeteries emerging and it is good to know the difference between a combo cemetery and a “green, natural” cemetery. A combo cemetery is one that will allow a “green” burial; however, they also allow traditional burials of embalmed bodies in metal caskets. One example of a “green, natural” cemetery that does not allow embalmed bodies or metal caskets is Purissima Cemetery located near Half Moon Bay California, off the beautiful coast of Hwy 1. Self & guided tours available.

Links to related information
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Listen to Patricia discuss Green Burial on KSQD >
KQED Bay Curious~ By Rachael Myrow
Purissima: The Ghost Town Hidden Near Half Moon Bay >
Read Patricia’s thoughts on human composting and green burial >