So, you’ve decided on a green burial!

What does that look like for you?

The GBSC advocates for “The un-embalmed body [to be] wrapped in a shroud made of natural, biodegradable fibers and then buried directly in the grave. Alternatively, the shrouded remains can be placed into a casket or alternative form of container, where the casket or similar container is also made of sustainable and fully biodegradable materials”. This could mean anything from wrapping the body in a simple cloth shroud to a more traditional looking casket made from wood or other natural materials.

Today, let’s look at caskets.

Green burial caskets can be made from a variety of materials. Many are made from North American softwoods (like pine) but others are made from bamboo, woven willow branches and sea grass, even cardboard. Again, a natural material that will break down over time when buried is key. Something that is often overlooked is where the casket it produced. Many large manufacturers have their products made overseas and shipped here but there are also lots of options made in North America. There might even be a casket maker in your area that can supply something that suits you. Choosing a casket made from materials that are sourced closer to where the casket is produced and reducing the shipping distances lessens the environmental impact in each step. Consider a willow casket made in the Pacific North West from willow harvested locally from a well-managed crop, shipped to a family in central Canada. Contrast this with a sapele (a cousin to mahogany) hardwood casket whose wood is harvested in Africa, shipped to a manufacturer in China, then shipped to North America for distribution. The difference in distance traveled, and emissions produced, is significant.

– submitted by Jeremy Burrill, GBSC Board Member