Returned to the Earth: A Look at Green Funerals

Returned to the Earth: A Look at Green Funerals Traditional Funerals 43.2% of people in the U.S. chose cremation in 2012 A metal casket costs an average of $2,395 1990 2012 A vault costs an average of $1,298 Up from 17.13% in 1990 What Green Funerals Entail Non-toxic, biodegradable caskets Restoration or preservation of a natural habitat Reduction of carbon emissions No use of formaldehyde in embalming Has been shown to be a health risk in funeral homes Protection of funeral home worker health Options for Green Funerals Container Casket Urn Shroud Type of Service Public or private open-casket funeral Public or private closed-casket funeral PRIVATE Private viewing before or after the funeral Location Graveside funeral service Funeral at your choice of natural location Service at the funeral home Memorialization A tree planted using remains for growth Native plants or wildflowers marking the grave A rock as a marker, engraved if you so choose Provided by: Skylawn SKYLAWN FUNERAL HOME AND MEMoRIAL PARK www.skylawnmemorialparksanmateo.com Sources: http://www.greenburialcouncil.com/faqs-fiction/ http://www.skylawnmemorialpark.com/what-we-do/funeral-ceremonies http://www.greenburialcouncil.com/assets/Uploads/GBCGreenFuneralBurialPlanner.pdf http://www.thespiritree.com/ http://nfda.org/about-funeral-service-/trends-and-statistics.html http://www.cde.gov/achs/fastata/deaths.htm