One: The healing process starts sooner. Our culture turned away from natural burial during the American Civil War. Embalming was a way to preserve fallen soldiers in order to transport them home. An industry formed around the logistics of death. However, it created effects such as being removed from the process. This helped create our death-phobic society, detachment, and denial.

 

Two: The environment needs us to bury our beloveds with the health of the earth in mind. With an ever-increasing population, we currently place almost a million gallons of embalming fluid annually into the earth. When cremation is chosen instead, as a less expensive option, many toxins and heavy metals are released into our atmosphere and the energy required is equivalent to driving 4800 miles.

 

Three: Green burial is less expensive than traditional burial. Families can choose simple pine or cardboard coffins. Organic fiber shrouds are an option instead of exotic wooden or metal caskets. Green burial gives us a chance to heal, to preserve our environment, and is financially better.