Native Woodland currently has three natural burial sites in Scotland and is keen to expand. Glasgow City Council is also looking to have parts of its cemeteries given over to green burial, it seems to be more of a norm now.
I’ve never quite liked the idea of being buried and always thought I’d rather be cremated with my ashes put in the Pentland Firth (although the article does say that Orkney Islands Council is looking to offer green burial plots). However, that’s not a very green option and if I’m doing my best to be green whilst alive, it would be good if I could carry it through to when I die. Although I’m not bothered about having a headstone, the idea of having a tree planted for me seems much better than polluting the air (and the sea).
Hopefully it’s all a long way off, but it is something worth thinking about.
January 23rd, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Always thought I’d go for cremation myself. I always figured that by choosing that option, I wouldn’t have to take up more space on the planet than I actually need.
January 23rd, 2007 at 7:14 pm
Agreed. Green Burials have been getting a lot of press lately, and for good reason.
I find normal cemerties pretty creepy and overdone IMO, just arent peaceful places.
Quick question - I have a old burial policy that my parents got me years ago that I just uncovered - (this one - http://www.onedollarglobeinsurance.com ) Will the policy cover a green burial, or will it cover only traditional burials?
Keep up the great blog!
January 23rd, 2007 at 8:11 pm
Hm, that’s a good way of looking at it.
January 24th, 2007 at 10:24 am
Unfortunately, there are environmental impacts associated with cremation too - air pollution, energy use etc. Take a look at Durham Council’s breakdown of the pros and cons of each method: http://www.durham.gov.uk/DurhamCC/usp.nsf/pws/LA21+-+Funerals+and+the+Environment+in+County+Durham - quite interesting!
January 24th, 2007 at 10:29 am
Also this article in the New Scientist about freeze-drying the body being more eco-friendly than burial or cremation! http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn1351 This was also mentioned in the latest edition of The Ecologist.
January 24th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Thanks for the links Katie!
Mark, I think you’d need to ask the insurance company about that one.
January 24th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
Cool, thanks a lot guys.