Green Cemeteries in the Municipality of Highlands East

Green Cemeteries in the Municipality of Highlands East

Monique Sheehan & Brittany Pedersen

Municipality of Highlands East - Robyn Rogers

Roger Picton

2018

Highlands East

Green Burials are a recent initiative to support a more sustainable way of caring for the recently deceased. Specifically, “green, or natural burial, is a way of caring for the dead with minimal environmental impact that aids in the conservation of natural resources, reduction of carbon emissions, protection of worker health and the restoration and/or preservation of habitat,”(Green Burial Council, 2018). Green Burials ensure that the use of toxic materials are substituted for non-toxic and biodegradable materials. No embalming or concrete burial vaults, natural garments, natural burial sites, and minimal pesticides/herbicides enables the attempt to make death more environmentally and financially friendly. While traditional burial typically include costly expenses that include exoctic and chemically sprayed caskets as well as toxic embalming, Green Burials rarely exceed over $2,500 due to the biodegradable and locally forested caskets/shrouds. Green Burials allow for loved ones to rest in a natural resting place that is both cost-friendly and sustainable.