Is Your Death Going to be Bad for the Planet?

We can all be convinced that we're pretty green. And we all may very well be...pretty green. However, have you thought about what happens when you die? Sure, it's a grim thought and your death is probably the last thing you want to consider today. Nonetheless, it doesn't make much sense to me to be against putting tons of trash into the earth if you're not against putting the chemicals and materials associated with today's burial systems in the ground after death. Think about it. The way that we manage our burial system today is pretty detrimental to the planet. From the embalming fluid to the caskets, we don't really pay much respect to the environment when we pay our respects to the dead.

The alternative? The alternative is to have a more natural, or green, burial. These burials involve not using chemicals like embalming fluid and they promote the use of biodegradable coffins.

Think of all of the wood, copper, and bronze we could save in caskets-not to mention all of the steel and concrete in vaults. All of these materials are spent for the sake of the bodies of the dead.

Some people have beliefs that require preserving the bodies of the deceased. If you, however, are not one of these people, then why hurt the planet through your death? I don't see the point.