Estate Planning

In Burial News, Cemetery Goes "Green"

By Hull & Hull LLP

For all those who are eco-obsessed, the New York Times reports that a cemetery in Lawrence, Kansas is offering an environmentally-friendly way to be buried (when your time finally comes; and see previous blogs that also touch on this issue using our search bar)). 

The Oak Hill Cemetery has been offering 'green' burials since January of this year and has recently sold its first plot.  It plans to devote approximately 1/3 of an acre to what it refers to as 'natural burials'.

The deceased has the opportunity to be buried in a biodegradable casket, without being embalmed and with no concrete grave liner.  Polished or metal headstones are not permitted – head stones can only be made from natural rock.  In lieu of artificial flowers and other grave decorations, wild flowers will grow, the objective being for the land to eventually revert to its natural habitat.  

Unlike a lot of environmentally-friendly initiatives, natural burials will be less expensive than the traditional alternatives – about 25% to 75% less, depending on the options selected. 

The natural burial process does have its challenges, though – and they are resolved by relying on some 'non-green' solutions.  Digging a grave is somewhat difficult without heavy machinery.  The solution is to allow the family members help city employees dig 1/3 of the grave with shovels and rely on machinery to do the rest.  Family members are also given the option of allowing a lowering advice to be used to place the coffin in the grave (if they decline, city staff will do it using biodegradable materials). 

According to Joe Sehee, director of the Green Burial Council, people are beginning to doubt whether preserving a body through artificial means is the decent thing to do.  Sehee told the Associated Press, ''I think people are finding solace in the ashes to ashes idea again…It allows people to befriend death on some level, to say 'Let's let go and return naturally, not try to impede the process any more.''

Have a great day!

Megan F. Connolly  

Full post as published by Toronto Estate Law Blog on May 07, 2009 (boomark / email).