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Traditional Burial vs Natural (Green) Burial

8 minute read

Traditional Burial vs Natural (Green) Burial

Table of Contents

In New Zealand, as in many other parts of the world, environmentally-friendly alternatives to traditional burial methods are rising in popularity. One such alternative gaining popularity is the natural burial (also known as a green burial), a more natural and eco-conscious approach to the end-of-life process. This article will delve into the differences between traditional burials and green burials, and help you make a more informed burial decision. 

How Traditional Burials Work

In order to understand the differences between a traditional burial and green burial, we must first understand traditional burial practices. 

  1. Embalming: Though not a legal requirement for burial, the first step in a traditional burial typically involves embalming. Embalming is the process of preserving the deceased's body using various chemical solutions, typically containing formaldehyde, though less toxic, more environmentally friendly embalming options are available. Embalming slows down decomposition, allowing for a longer period between death and burial (and thus easier funeral planning, and a longer window of time for an open-casket viewing).

  2. Preparation of the Body: After embalming, the body is prepared for viewing and burial. This may involve dressing the deceased in burial clothing and applying makeup for a more lifelike appearance.

  3. Casket Selection: A casket is chosen to encase the deceased. Caskets come in various materials, including wood, metal, and even biodegradable options.

  4. Funeral Service: A funeral or memorial service is often held in a church, funeral home, or at the gravesite. The casket is typically present during the service.

  5. Burial: The casket is then lowered into the grave, which may be in a traditional cemetery, a mausoleum, or a family plot. A headstone or grave marker is placed at the burial site, typically bearing the name and dates of birth and death of the deceased.

What Is Embalming?

Embalming is a process used to preserve the body and slow the process of decomposition. It involves the injection of various chemical solutions (which typically contain formaldehyde) into the body's circulatory system, usually through the carotid artery, while the blood is simultaneously drained from the body through the jugular vein.

The purposes of embalming are: 

1. Preservation: The primary goal is to slow down the decomposition of the body, allowing for a longer window of time between death and burial (and open casket viewings).

2. Restoration: Embalming can enhance the appearance of the deceased by restoring a more natural and lifelike appearance, especially if the person experienced trauma or illness before death.

Embalming is a common funeral practice across parts of the western world, including New Zealand, but is less common elsewhere. In certain religions, such as Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam, it is forbidden.

Regardless of reason, the decision to embalm is a personal choice and is not required by law.

Is Embalming Required?

As mentioned, embalming is not a legal requirement for burial. Open-casket viewings, however, will typically not be possible unless some form of embalming is performed, as natural rates of decomposition necessitate a short window of time between death and burial. 

Embalming Alternatives

Though funeral homes may promote the use of embalming, there is no benefit to public health nor necessity to delay decomposition. If you wish to delay decomposition to allow for more time between death and burial, there are environmentally-friendly alternatives available to do so, such as the use of cooling methods or washing with biodegradable products.

Advantages of Traditional Burials

  1. Familiarity & Tradition: Traditional burials offer a sense of familiarity and comfort to many people. They are deeply rooted in cultural and religious traditions and provide a structured and well-understood process for grieving.

  2. Memorialization: The presence of a physical gravesite with a headstone or marker allows for a tangible place for family and friends to visit and pay their respects, helping with the grieving process.

  3. Open-Casket Viewing & Easier Funeral Planning: The embalming process allows for a longer period between death and burial, and thus easier funeral planning and a greater opportunity for open-casket viewings. This last opportunity to meet a loved one provides closure and a chance to say goodbye. 

Disadvantages of Traditional Burials

  1. Environmental Impact: One of the most significant drawbacks of traditional burials is the environmental impact. The embalming process usually involves the use of toxic chemicals like formaldehyde (though less toxic alternatives are available), which can potentially seep into the soil and harm the environment. Similarly, production of traditional caskets is impactful to the environment, requiring the use of materials such as woods, metals, plastics, paints, coatings, glues and adhesives, most of which are not biodegradable. More environmentally friendly and biodegradable casket options, however, are increasingly available. 

  2. Limited Land Resources: Traditional cemeteries require a significant amount of land, which can strain available resources, especially in urban areas. Even within cemeteries, space can be limited.

  3. High Costs: Traditional burials can be expensive, involving costs for embalming, caskets, gravesites, and headstones, making it a financial burden for many families.

While traditional burials have their merits, providing a structured and familiar process for grieving and memorialization, their considerable environmental impact is a significant downside. A greater concern for those environmental impacts has led to more green alternatives, such as the natural burial. 

How Natural (Green) Burials Work

  1. No Embalming: Unlike traditional burials, green burials omit the embalming process. The body is not preserved with toxic chemicals, such as formaldehyde, allowing it to return to nature more rapidly.

  2. Biodegradable Caskets or Shrouds: Green burials involve the use of biodegradable caskets made from materials like wicker, bamboo, or cardboard, or a simple burial shroud. These materials break down naturally, becoming one with the earth.

  3. Natural Burial Grounds: Green burials are typically conducted in designated natural burial grounds. Natural Burials, the non-profit that introduced certified natural burials to New Zealand and works with local councils on their implementation, has fully certified 12 such burial grounds across the country. These cemeteries are intentionally designed to minimize environmental impact and promote habitat restoration.

  4. Grave Markers: In green burials, grave markers are usually simple and natural, such as rocks or native plants. This maintains a natural appearance in the burial site.

Advantages of Green Burials

  1. Eco-Friendly: Green burials are a highly sustainable and environmentally friendly option. They omit the use of toxic chemicals and non-biodegradable materials, minimizing the ecological footprint of the burial process.

  2. Natural Decomposition: By allowing the body to decompose naturally, green burials contribute to the soil's health and support the growth of native flora and fauna, creating a positive impact on local ecosystems.

  3. Returning to Earth: Many people find comfort in the idea of returning to nature, feeling a stronger sense of connection to the environment and the cycle of life.

  4. Preservation of Natural Landscapes: Green burial grounds assist in land conservation and habitat restoration — bodies are buried in conditions that facilitate decomposition and the regeneration of bush above the graves.        

Disadvantages of Green Burials

  1. Limited Availability: Green burial grounds are not as widespread as traditional cemeteries, with just 12 fully certified (according to Natural Burials standards) across the country. 

  2. No Open-Casket Viewings: The absence of embalming means that open-casket viewings are typically not possible in green burials. If the deceased had been receiving certain types of cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, this especially applies — as these tend to cause rapid deterioration of the body upon death. 

  3. Simple Grave Markers: Green burials often have modest grave markers, which may be seen as less impressive or meaningful compared to traditional headstones.

  4. High Costs: Just like traditional burials, green burials can be expensive. Though they omit embalming (on average $500-$800), other costs, such as that of the plot, can be more expensive than the equivalent in a traditional burial. 

What Is the Cost Of a Natural (Green) Burial?

The answer is that it depends. Though you do not have to pay for embalming, for example, you may pay more for the burial plot. A natural burial plot in Kāpiti Coast, for example, is $2346, while a regular plot costs $1932. 

The important thing to remember is that costs vary, so always compare costs between funeral homes and burial sites. If the costs of using a natural burial site in your area are prohibitive, you can always consider incorporating some environmentally-friendly choices into a traditional burial. Ask your funeral director about the options available to you. 

One potential way of saving money on a green burial is to provide your own natural burial coffin. Natural Burials maintains a list of coffin suppliers certified for natural burial use. If, instead, you wish to plan a traditional burial, Noble Coffin offers a high-quality selection of wooden coffins. 

How to Find a Natural (Green) Cemetery

Natural Burials, the non-profit that introduced certified natural burials to New Zealand and works with local councils on their implementation, has fully certified 12 cemeteries across the country: 

An additional 7 cemeteries align with most of Natural Burials' standards, but are not formally certified: 

  • Whangarei
  • Hamilton
  • Thames (Omahu Natural Burial Park in Hikutaia)
  • Hastings (Mangaroa Cemetery)
  • Whanganui
  • Dunedin
  • Invercargill

To read more about certified natural cemeteries in New Zealand, visit Natural Burials.   

Should I Choose a Traditional Burial or Natural (Green) Burial?

Green burials are a more sustainable alternative to traditional burials, and can be beneficial not only to the environment, but to the deceased as well. More natural decomposition reduces environmental impact, while offering the deceased a deeper connection to the environment — "a return to the earth". 

Despite the obvious advantages, there are some clear drawbacks to green burials. They are often a departure from the kind of end-of-life arrangements we are used to, so may not be suitable for some. When it comes to costs, they're not typically any cheaper than traditional burials, and in fact can be more expensive. Availability is limited, and, where available, they are not the perfect environmental choice that some may think they are.

Bodies that aren't embalmed still leach toxins into the environment, and burial in shallow graves (a requirement of natural burials) increases the risk of contamination of the water table. More environmentally friendly alternatives, such as alkaline hydrolysis, are unfortunately not yet legal under New Zealand's burial and cremation legislation, though that may yet change.

Ultimately, the choice between traditional burials and green alternatives depends on individual values, environmental concerns, and personal preferences. 

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