Planning a funeral is an important responsibility that we are all likely to face at some point, whether for a family member or if writing down one's own wishes in advance. As the current post-war generation reaches older age, an ever-increasing proportion of funerals are varying from the 'traditional' by reflecting the individual's personality, beliefs and values.

A funeral encompasses many elements, allowing many ways to extend a loved one's belief in sustainable living to the final rite of passage. Sustainable choices are often those which tend towards the more individual, locally made options, rather than commodity products. Natural materials rather than synthetic finishes and a ceremony that reflects the character of the deceased can combine to create a personalised, meaningful farewell. Given we make our caskets from only natural materials, we often field questions on how to personalise or to green a funeral. Whilst the details may at times be unpalatable, this article sets out to explore possible greener choices.

TenderRest has produced a LIFECYCLE MAP for our Conifer, Deco and forthcoming paperboard bambino caskets

Burial vs. cremation?

An often raised question concerns the relative merits of a cremation compared to a burial. Unfortunately, there is no clear answer. A standard cremator operates at around 900oC, for 80 minutes, usually on gas or diesel, with energy used similar to one month's domestic usage. Cremation leads to the release of nitrous oxides, carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, particulate matter, hydrogen fluoride and more - the United Nations calculated that crematoria contribute to 0.2% of the global emissions of dioxins and furans, and the UK Ministry of the Environment estimates that cremations cause 16% of all UK mercury emissions, from dental fillings. Clearly the emissions of a cremation will vary with the quality of the filtration system and casket burned. On the other hand, a traditional 6ft deep burial causes 'rotting' allowing few nutrients to return to the soil, causes toxic formaldehyde and mercury seepage, and larger graves requiring years of maintenance.

A 2007 Australian study compared the carbon emissions of a burial to a cremation. A traditional 6ft deep burial emits 39kg CO2 on the day of the burial. A cremation releases 160kg CO2. However burials, due to continued grave maintenance, result in a more CO2 than cremation in the longer term.So there's really not much difference.

Natural burial

Natural burial grounds are becoming common overseas, with over 260 created in the UK in the past 20 years. Whilst there is no single definition of what constitutes a natural burial, the objectives are widely agreed: that a body will oxygenate and so decompose, returning nutrients to the earth, with no toxic residues leaching into the soil or waterways.

This precludes toxic embalming fluids, and the casket or shroud, liners, and handles must be wholly natural materials. A tree, a simple stake, or no marker (and simply a GPS reference) is used to locate the grave, and burial sites should require little or no maintenance. Woodland and meadow burials are becoming especially popular in the UK, often with no markers. A range of 'standards' apply across UK natural burial sites. The 'purest' end of the spectrum would also require no jewellery, synthetic clothing, imported materials, mercury fillings, or synthetic replacement body-parts. Clearly this is likely to be a step too extreme for most, and preclude some of those wishing to use a natural ground. In most grounds, standards are set focussing on what is a reasonable minimisation of chemicals entering the ground with the focus on the type of casket and no embalming fluids to be used.

Closer to home, natural burials sites are available in Wellington and Motueka, with sites in New Plymouth, Wanganui, Hamilton, Dunedin and Christchurch under consideration. Given the slower development of natural burial sites in New Zealand, national criteria are yet to be established, and views diverge regarding appropriate standards and the operating model that best serves the local community. Whilst in the UK sites are a variety of public and private operations, most in NZ are (or will be) council owned and operated. This will ensure the troubles in the UK, such as private landowners 'closing' a natural cemetery after only a few years operation, should be avoided. The UK author Ken West has stated that natural burial encompasses social awareness too, by also considering 'how can social and environmental benefits be gained from funeral practices'.

At TenderRest we are researching natural policy developments across New Zealand and engaging with regional and local councils to ensure natural burial sites being developed maintain high environmental standards, and that operational arrangements are consistent with ensuring consumer choice and low costs to all.

TenderRest Deco range and Conifer Caskets have been certified for use at Makara and New Plymouth natural burial cemeteries, by the operating organisations Natural Burial NZ. They are also accepted at all other natural burial cemeteries across NZ.

Resomation & Cyromation

Novel alternative techniques with lower emissions and energy usage have been developed overseas including Resomation (or 'Water Cremation'), a chemical process similar to natural anaerobic digestion which results in a non-toxic liquid. Cyromation (or 'Promessa') is a freeze-drying process that dissolves the body to a fine dry ash-like powder. Sweden, the US, UK and Australia are either offering or starting to offer such processes, albeit still few and far between, however the high installation costs involved means it may be some time until such options are available in New Zealand.

Natural caskets

Whether choosing cremation, burial or natural burial, the choice of funeral casket represents an important means to reflect sustainable choices. The most frequently purchased traditional caskets are made from MDF or chipboard board, often with plastic veneer, polyurethane finish, and plastic 'metal-look' handles - all materials that contribute to cremation emissions or burial chemical leaching. The US Environmental Protection Agency includes casket manufacturers on the Top50 list of hazardous waste generators due to chemicals such as methyl and xylene used in protective spray casket finishes.

Most funeral directors offer natural casket options, and if yours doesn't carry any in stock, a range of natural casket providers will supply funeral directors across the country. Natural coffins are made from pure wood, eco-friendly plywood, recycled paperboard, bamboo and wicker. Shapes encompass both traditional and award winning modern designs, and natural finishes range from simple pine, ply, bamboo, bespoke print options and fabric covered finishes. Anything from a simple cotton shroud or simple pine casket to a pure wool or luxury linen coated casket can pay tribute to both a unique personality and a respect for the environment.

Embalming

An often immediate consideration is whether to embalm. In the days before embalming, funerals were often held sooner after death. Whilst laying for a few days in wintertime might be feasible, summer temperatures are likely to prevent this beyond a day. However, funeral directors do have access to natural-based formaldehyde-free preservers. Cold rooms also mean that if a funeral is to be held soon, embalming might not be necessary. For those preferring a family-arranged funeral, it is possible to keep a loved one at home for a few days by ensuring a room is kept cool, and by arranging for a continuous supply of ice-packs.

Ceremony

Wider practical considerations include where to hold a ceremony, whether to bury far from home, and items such as floral tributes. Here common sense can prevail. It is clear that whilst attending via skype might lower travel emissions, the wish to attend in person to celebrate a life and provide support to grieving loved ones might allow for travel to occur and to be offset elsewhere. Floral tributes can be restricted to local native plants and flowers. A final means to reflect individuality is the choice of ceremony. Own homes and gardens are becoming ever more common locations in the UK, with smaller family-only ceremonies followed by a celebratory gathering attended by wider family, friends and colleagues, reminiscent of the Irish wake. Traditional hearses are being swapped for simple stationwagons, horse and carts and combi-vans. Clearly the environmental impacts will depend on all aspects of a ceremony's detail.

Personal choice

Funeral considerations can only ever be a personal choice on what is feasible, feels appropriate and dignified. Funeral directors across New Zealand are aware of the need to provide greener options. A useful site directory of eco-aware funeral homes is included at www.ecofunerals.co.nz. Some funeral directors will be happy to take care of some more difficult tasks, leaving families to dress the loved one, make, prepare or decorate a casket, and make the ceremony arrangements.

As with all rites of passage, funerals reflect the current norms of society. So whilst the first white settler cremation in Australia caused a national outrage in 1895, cremations have since become completely accepted alongside burials in the western world. As environmental awareness increases, so will the available greener options for funerals, even in smaller towns. Simply recording your wishes is a means to ensure your family know how you'd like your final send off. Tamara's grandfather went so far as to write down all his funeral instructions, including his own amusingly entertaining and deeply touching eulogy.