The most popular green funeral option according to the document is woodland or natural burial, which involves no coffin, concrete, formaldehyde, or cremation. Other green options mentioned include cremation with carbon capture and emissions regulations, cardboard and wicker coffins, avoiding cut flowers by requesting charitable donations instead, alternatives to embalming such as no embalming or using natural embalming alternatives, and using alternative forms of transportation to funerals such as electric vehicles or horse-drawn carriages.

1. What is your most popular green funeral option?
We have talked many times before about green or eco
funerals. The environment is an increasingly important
factor in people’s purchasing decisions and that
includes decisions about funerals. Workplaces –
including Funeral Homes – are also taking more care
over the environment, for ethical, legislative and
financial reasons. However, it is pretty much impossible
to live a 100% environmentally-friendly life and just as
hard to have a 100% environmentally-friendly funeral.
As with all things, people make compromises. Below is
a list of green practices but it is by no means
exhaustive. Let us know if these – or any others – are
popular with your customers.
Woodland or Natural Burial - the ultimate
green option; no coffin (a truly natural burial would
involve a shroud at most), no concrete, no
formaldehyde, no cremation.
Cremation – not an obvious contender, but less
impactful than some interments and, with carbon
capture, emissions regulation and energy sharing
schemes, this can be a greener option.
Cardboard and Wicker Coffins – greener than
wood or steel, but are they as eco-friendly as people
think they are?
No flowers – besides the short life of floral
tributes, the downside of wreaths and flowers is that so
many of them are grown unsustainably. A charitable
donation is often requested by the family.
Alternatives to embalming – either none at all,
or the use of a green alternative such as Naturensbalm.
Green details – smaller elements, such as local,
organic food served at the wake, recycled paper for the
order of service and so on.
Alternative transport – from electrically-
powered to horse-and-cart and everything in between.
Of course mourners flying in to attend the funeral will
undo all that good work!
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