By Olive Lantz, Alliance Intern at American University ’25
One subject often remains absent from our conversations, hidden in the shadows of discomfort and taboo: one’s own death and burial. However, our current burial practices have a very large environmental footprint that we all need to address. Discussing funeral preferences with environmental awareness can significantly reduce your footprint amidst the pressing challenges of climate change and environmental degradation.
Modern Western death practices have a profound threefold environmental impact. First, they demand an enormous amount of natural resources like wood, steel, and concrete for coffins and headstones. Second, harmful embalming chemicals can seep into groundwater. Third, the common practice of cremation produces a significant carbon footprint. According to National Geographic, cremations account for about 360,000 metric tons of US CO2 emissions each year. Sustainable alternatives can have one-tenth the footprint and help mitigate these concerns.
Alternative green burial options
Alkaline hydrolysis, also known as water cremation, offers an environmental alternative to traditional death practices in the US, a tenth of the carbon footprint of conventional cremation. Alkaline hydrolysis involves sealing a human body in a chamber with a solution of water and alkaline chemicals, primarily sodium hydroxide. This process breaks down tissue bonds, resulting in a sterile liquid mixture of amino acids, peptides, salts, and sugars which is either used on farmland, making an excellent fertilizer, or disposed of as waste water. Similar to flame cremation, the remaining bones are turned into a powder, which is then given to family members.
Another option is a green burial, in which the body is not cremated or embalmed with chemicals, but instead placed in a biodegradable container in its natural state, according to a Greener Funeral. “The body is then planted in the earth to decompose naturally and break down into the earth. There are never any artificial pesticides utilized in green burials. These burials are less common because they take place in specific green burial sites, as opposed to within traditional cemeteries.”
Finally, natural burials, while similar, are not identical to green burials. As Greener Funeral points out, “The grave sites in these types of burials are done solely by hand and not with heavy machinery. The deceased are buried only in biodegradable containers, such as those made by willow, bamboo, and seagrass, which allows for a simple, yet dignified burial option. These containers are free of environmentally harmful components such as metal.”
Both green and natural burials limit groundwater pollution and allow the body to be naturally recycled. Green burials and natural burials prioritize eco-friendliness. While natural burials can apply to cremated remains, the practice is less common, and headstones are typically not used.
Considering the environmental consequences of your end-of-life choices
In addition to their ecological benefits, eco-friendly burial practices such as green burials and alkaline hydrolysis can harmonize with various religious beliefs, including Judaism’s emphasis on simplicity and the idea that one cannot take material possessions after death. These sustainable options align with the principles of humility and natural return to the earth, providing a respectful and eco-conscious way to honor religious traditions while reducing environmental impact.
As the world’s population continues to grow, so too does our impact on the environment. Considering the environmental consequences of our end-of-life choices is an important step toward a more sustainable future. By opting for eco-friendly practices, individuals can make a positive contribution to the planet. Embracing sustainability in death is not only a testament to our commitment to the environment but also a meaningful way to leave a lasting, positive legacy for future generations.
Documenting your wishes alleviates your loved ones’ burdens and opting for eco-conscious choices enables you to retain control over your decisions in life’s final moments while reducing your environmental footprint.