Green burials an ecological option for final resting place

By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on March 22, 2023.

Herald photo by Ry Clarke Green burial sites, like the Grasslands Burial Grounds at the Royal View Memorial Cemetery, optimize the land with minimal infrastructure and ground disturbance, allowing the space to remain as natural as possible.

When it comes to green living, people conserve and preserve the earth’s natural resources in their daily lives. But can that lifestyle transcend death?

Green burials follow the same principles of green-living, leaving no trace, offering alternatives to conventional burial or cremation. The environmental practice returns the body to the earth to decompose naturally, helping contribute to new life, following key principles that are essential to qualify as a green burial.

“There are several factors that have to be in place in order for a green burial to exists,” said Travis Zentner, Business Manager at Cornerstone Funeral Home in Lethbridge.

“It goes hand-in-hand with what a person’s values are, it is just another option, or opportunity, for people to explore.”

The process of a green burial uses no embalming. Decomposition recycles the body back to the earth. Bodies are buried in a way in which everything can be broken down. Remains are wrapped in a shroud made of natural biodegradable fibres or placed in a casket made of sustainable biodegradable material. The area in which remains are lain to rest is designated a conservation area with no gravestone – the person is memorialized on a communal monument nearby so the land is preserved and kept natural.

A green burial is very similar to traditional funerals, with the differences seen during the process of disposition.

“Green burial is another forum of disposition. The duration of time between death and burial will be relatively short because bodies start going through that process of decomposition. Usually, it has to be relatively quick – most times we are seeing that happen between 24 or 48 hours after death. Sometimes we can go a little bit further, depending upon families, travel arrangements and requirements,” said Zentner.

Lethbridge residents are able to pursue the option of green burials with the Royal View Memorial Cemetery offering the Grasslands Green Burial Grounds, a specific area developed to use the natural landscape of the prairies.

“We are relatively fortunate in Lethbridge to have this section. It’s one of just a couple cemeteries in the entire province to have a Green Burial Society approved green burial section.”

Green burials offer more options when planning a funeral, combining spiritual integrity with environmental ideals.

“A big pull is going to be dependent upon a persons characteristics, what they find value in. If they are very natural and earth friendly, this is something that we will want to talk about,” said Zentner.

“It depends on the person and the situation. We are having more and more people come in requesting a pre-arrangement for green burials. We have two different types that we serve. One is at-need, which is when a passing has occurred. Then there are pre-arrangements, or pre-need, which is before the death occurs.”

Zentner notes with green burials there is a time constraint due to no embalming and decomposition, and that pre-arrangements help curb the stress and rush.

A green burial minimizes the impact on the environment, providing another option as people prepare. “Talk to your family so that they understand what your wishes are,” said Zentner. “A green burial is just a form of disposition. People can still have a service, and the disposition can reflect the values of their loved ones.”

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