Tag Archives: recycled paper

Many people are concerned about what happens after they die.  Plans are made by getting a life insurance rate, getting quotes on different types of life insurance and eventually, buying the life insurance.  People make up wills to designate certain items to certain people and divide up their estates.  People plan who would be guardians of their children after they die.  People even make their loved ones aware of their wishes for their own burial to some extent.  Most families know whether loved ones want to be buried or cremated.

But have you ever considered planning for an environmentally responsible burial??  Believe it or not, there are many such companies with ingenious products to help you do just that.  For instance, the coffin pictured above is from Ecopod.  It’s made of recycled paper, painted with eco-friendly paints and has bamboo and metal carrying handles that can be returned to the company after their use so they can be used again.  This coffin uses recycled newspapers and mulberry pulp that naturally biodegrades in the ground or is also suitable for cremations.  You can even have the coffin lined in feathers for that extra touch if you’d like!

These coffins are a great alternative to some of the more traditional coffins that disregard the environment when shrouding a deceased loved one.  The resources used on traditional coffins are extensive and do not easily biodegrade.  They are also extremely expensive!  Consider more environmentally friendly options when writing your will and helping to plan your funeral.  Here are some other important considerations when trying to plan a green funeral:

• Quick burials make embalming unnecessary.  This is important because of the amount of formaldehyde that is used (about 47 litres) for each person embalmed.  That formaldehyde does eventually make it’s way back into the soil in time.
• Consider asking to have any mercury fillings before being buried so that this does not pollute soil and ground water.
• Try to find an eco-friendly cemetary that offers green alternatives and no pesticide usage.
• Ask for donations to your favorite environmental cause in lieu of flowers during the funeral.

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