A Greener Goodbye: Earth-Friendly Options for Burial and Cremation

When we think about the impact we leave behind, we often think about the life we lived, the choices we made, and the values we carried. For those who made an effort to live more gently on the earth, that care often came from a deeper place: a love for the world around them, and a desire to leave it a little better for the generations that follow.

It’s only natural to want that same care reflected in the way they’re laid to rest.

More and more families are beginning to ask a simple question: Is there a way to say goodbye that feels a little gentler on the earth? The answer is yes but like most meaningful choices, it’s also a little more nuanced than it seems.

Embalming; Balancing Tradition and Environmental Impact¹

One of the first decisions families often face is whether or not to embalm. Some choose to avoid embalming in hopes of reducing environmental impact. In cases where a viewing or wake is still desired, however, refrigeration is typically required. While effective and widely used, refrigeration does rely on energy systems that contribute to broader environmental concerns.

Embalming itself is often misunderstood. Modern embalming solutions are carefully regulated and highly diluted. Only a small portion of the solution contains formaldehyde, a compound that breaks down relatively quickly and does not persist in soil or groundwater. For generations, these practices have been carried out safely, with a focus on dignity, preservation, and the well-being of both families and funeral professionals.

For many, the decision ultimately comes down to what feels most important: the opportunity for a traditional viewing, personal values around environmental impact, or a balance of both.

Green Burial: A Return to Simplicity

Green burial is often the most natural option available. It focuses on simplicity, minimizing environmental impact, and allowing the body to return to nature as naturally as possible.

This typically means:

• No embalming chemicals
• Biodegradable caskets or burial shrouds
• Burial in a natural or conservation-focused setting

Without synthetic materials or preservation methods, the body is able to return to the earth more directly. For many families, there’s comfort in that simplicity. It can feel steady and grounding, something that reflects the natural order of life and a quiet respect for the land itself.

At the same time, it’s worth understanding that even green burial exists within a broader environmental picture. Factors like soil conditions, groundwater protection, and long-term land use all play a role. In some settings, natural decomposition can raise concerns around environmental impact or site preservation over time.¹ For families, this doesn’t diminish the meaning of the choice, it just highlights the importance of thoughtful planning and clear information.

Cremation: Thoughtful Choices Within a Common Practice

Cremation remains one of the most common end-of-life choices. While it is often perceived as a more environmentally friendly option, it does carry its own impact.

The cremation process requires a significant amount of energy and results in emissions such as carbon dioxide and other gases. That said, there are still ways to approach cremation with care and intention.

Families can consider options such as:

• Biodegradable vessels made from materials like recycled paper, coconut shells, sand, or salt
• Scattering gardens, which provide a peaceful and environmentally mindful way to return cremated remains to the soil
• Urns made from natural materials like ceramic or wood, rather than plastics or synthetic components

Individually, these choices may seem small. Together, they reflect the same kind of consideration someone carried in life: a quiet awareness of how their presence touches the world around them.

Caskets: Choosing Materials That Reflect Your Values

Traditional caskets are often made with metals, treated woods, and synthetic finishes that aren’t designed to break down. For families seeking something more aligned with natural processes, there are alternatives that feel simpler and more organic.

Some of these include:

• Solid wood without chemical treatments
• Woven fiber caskets

These options reduce environmental impact while also offering something that feels warmer, less clinical, and more at home within the natural world.

Visitation: Creating a More Thoughtful Send-Off

End-of-life care isn’t limited to burial or cremation. The visitation and service itself can reflect the same sense of care and intention.

Families are increasingly choosing to:

• Select locally sourced or seasonal flowers to reduce transportation impact and waste
• Use digital programs or memorial pages instead of printed materials
• Incorporate natural fabrics or biodegradable materials where possible
• Offer simple, thoughtfully sourced refreshments with minimal packaging

None of these choices take away from the experience. If anything, they often add to it. They allow the service to feel more personal, while still honoring the traditions that help families find connection and closure.

Emerging Options: Looking Ahead

There are new options beginning to emerge that aim to reduce environmental impact even further. While not yet legal in Ohio, they are worth understanding from an educational standpoint.

Alkaline Hydrolysis (sometimes referred to as water-based cremation) uses a combination of water, temperature, and alkalinity to gently break down the body. Compared to traditional cremation, it uses less energy and does not produce the same level of airborne emissions. The process results in remains that can be returned to the family, similar to cremation. This is currently legal for pets in Ohio.

Natural Organic Reduction, also known as human composting, allows the body to naturally decompose in a carefully managed environment, transforming it into nutrient-rich soil over time. For families drawn to the idea of returning to the earth in a more direct and regenerative way, this option can feel especially meaningful.

While these methods are not currently available in every state, including Ohio, they reflect a broader shift in how we think about end-of-life care. As laws and practices continue to change, they may become more accessible in the future. For now, understanding these options can help families make more informed decisions and feel more confident in the choices that are available to them today.

A Greener Goodbye: Thoughtful, Informed Choices

There’s no single “right” way to approach end-of-life care, because no two lives look the same.

Whether that means choosing a green burial, a more traditional service, cremation with mindful options, or simply using compostable utensils during visitation, even the smallest details can reflect what matters most. Choosing greener options can be one way to carry those values forward, allowing the final arrangements to reflect not only how someone lived, but what they hoped to leave behind—a legacy rooted in care, thoughtfulness, and a desire to leave the world just a little better than we found it.

We’re here to help you explore what’s right for you. Contact us at (419) 636-3525.

Sources:
Golden, J. A. (n.d.). Viewpoint: Green-Earth burial funerals. American Funeral Director.