Questions About Green Burial
I thought embalming was required by law - Why don't you allow embalming?
Embalming is not required in any state. The Federal Trade Commission requires funeral service providers to inform consumers that embalming is not required. There are ecological problems with conventional body burial such as the potential for embalmed bodies to leach formaldehyde into the ground. Formaldehyde is regarded as a known carcinogen by the World Health Organization and is on the EPA's list of probable carcinogens.
While conventional burial separates the body from the earth, natural burials put it to good use. At Honey Creek Woodlands, the body is wrapped in a shroud or placed in a biodegradable container. It is buried in a shallow grave -- about 3 feet deep -- where microbe-rich soil exists to efficiently break down the body naturally. Above ground, two to three feet of topsoil is mounded on top, and the grave is marked with a natural stone marker.
Will burying people without vaults and without embalming hurt water quality?
While the human body contains bacteria and viruses at death, many of these die (or become inert) within hours or days; almost all are inert within 5 years. Before any surface water is contaminated, germs must percolate through many feet of soil and rock, and then exit via a spring, a process that can take many years.
At Honey Creek Woodlands, we do not bury immediately adjacent to streams, and the density of burials is much less than for conventional cemeteries. By returning the areas to natural vegetation, we expect an improvement of adjacent waterways and greater biological diversity over time.
I thought if the body was not embalmed, the burial had to be within 24 hours - is that true?
No - You can use refrigeration or dry ice to keep the body cool and wait for 3 to 5 days to have the service. We have many people who are buried at Honey Creek Woodlands who have had the funeral 3 to 4 days after the death. There are many people who have home funerals and have vigils for 3 days just using dry ice. If you ask for help from a funeral home, and they tell you this, ask if they have a cooler or if they can use dry ice.
I understand that you require biodegradable caskets but what if I have a medical prosthesis?
While we want as little non-biodegradable material buried as possible, we think that it is not practical or ecologically important to remove all dental fillings, heart valves, hips, knees, etc. Anyone who has concerns about this can contact us for a fuller explanation.
Will natural burials attract animals that could dig up the bodies?
Natural burial is an ancient and very successful method of burial. Pioneer cemeteries located in wild areas that contained animals such as grizzly bears were not disturbed. In our years of experience at Honey Creek Woodlands, we have seen absolutely no evidence whatsoever that animals are attracted to natural burial sites, despite the presence of dogs, coyotes, and deer.
Is natural (green) burial against anyone's religion?
Natural burial is in keeping with the most ancient burial traditions. While we cannot speak for every religion, we know that natural burial does not conflict with any major religions, and is a requirement for some faiths. Natural burial is an easy way for those observing religious traditions to meet the requirements of religious law, especially those of the Jewish or Muslim faith.
