Frequently Asked Questions
What's the Council's position on embalming?
Given that refrigeration and dry ice is readily available, we think
formaldehyde-based embalming ought to be an anachronism. Though the
EPA regards formaldehyde as a "probable" carcinogen, other
international agencies, including the World Health Organization,
consider it a far more dangerous chemical. Embalming
fluid containing formaldehyde has the potential to seep into ground
water. It also creates unnecessary health risks for
workers who are exposed to the substance. Many funeral
practitioners (including some who own allegedly "green" cemeteries)
act as if the practice still serves a vital purpose. Some mislead
consumers into believe that embalming is necessary in certain
instances when it is not, such as a funeral with a
viewing. Others defend it as being necessary to "prevent
the spread of air borne pathogens." But there's not one shred of
evidence that suggests embalming provides any public health
benefits.
Is there really a way for burial to protect natural areas?
Yes, there really is. But beware of any "green" cemetery that says
it furthers a conservation purpose if it doesn't utilize a legal
mechanism to ensure that what looks "green" today doesn't become a
place that tomorrow accommodates large monuments, embalming, or
burial at density levels that might negatively impact the local
ecology. When a green cemetery involves an established conservation
partner and restricts its future use with a conservation easement,
we call it a Conservation Burial Ground. When a green cemetery
utilizes a deed restriction rather than a conservation easement,
and does not involve a conservation organization as long-term
steward, we refer to it as a Natural Burial Ground. We offer
standards and certification for both of these types of facilities.
They are meant to prevent owners from altering the original intent
for these burial grounds, and to restrict them from conveying these
properties to people who might run them in a different manner.
What are my options for green burial if a green cemetery doesn't exist where I live?
The Council now has a list of "approved providers" who will
facilitate green burial within conventional facilities in eight
states. And we expect to operate in 25 more by the end of
2007. These providers can also assist people interested
in being buried on their own land.
What about home funerals?
Home funerals provide an opportunity for enormous cost savings and
allow for family members to more easily participate in end of life
rituals. Just as the birthing process has evolved away from
something that was entirely controlled by the medical profession,
home funeral providers are much like "midwives," who assist people
in taking matters into their own hands, grieving at their own pace,
and having simple services that are appropriate for their own
particular needs. Since bodies are typically preserved with dry
ice, home funerals are more ecologically sound than those that
utilize embalming.
What are the environmental issues associated with vaults and are they ever required?
A vault is essentially a large box made out of concrete. Originally
developed to deter grave robbers in the late 18th century, vaults
are sold today as being necessary to keep the ground from sinking
and markers from moving. For many years, this kind of settling was
dealt with by mounding extra dirt atop a grave and renovating the
soil. There are no state or federal laws that require the use of a
vault, though a cemetery can insist that one be used. Many
cemeteries now make vaults a requisite for burial. Vaults cause
Americans to bury each year 1.6 million tons of reinforced
concrete. And vaults that drain out the bottom can cause toxins and
heavy metals from to go into the ground, and sometimes ground
water, at much higher levels than if they were not used.
Is cremation an eco-friendly form of disposition?
Cremation certainly uses far fewer resources than anything else,
but it has its issues. The biggest is that it burns fossil fuel.
Older retorts can use twice as much energy as newer cremation
facilities. Although mercury pollution is also emitted when a
person with dental amalgam fillings is cremated, though just how
much is widely debated. The Council is currently working on
cremation standards that will be finalized in 2007. They will most
likely require carbon off-setting on the part of cremation
companies, as well as a commitment to improving the fuel efficiency
of their facilities. We are also considering ways of mitigating for
mercury pollution. Cost-effective technologies that will reduce or
eliminate a number of pollutants, including mercury, are expected
to be available by 2010.