Is A Natural Burial Safe?
More and more people in the United States have started opting for natural burials in a bid to reduce their carbon emissions. Despite its usage in most of human history, it has only started to gain in popularity in recent years. This has brought up safety concerns over its application in modern contexts. Here is more information on whether or not a natural burial is safe.
What Is a Natural Burial?
To begin with, what exactly is a natural burial? Also known as a green burial, it generally refers to a simple burial where the body is either buried in a shroud or a biodegradable coffin. This means that there the body will not have been chemically preserved with embalming fluids, placed in a metal or concrete vault, or buried in an ornate wooden or metal casket.
More importantly, natural burials can only take place in green cemeteries that have specific sustainability practices and protocol put in place to protect the environment of the gravesite.
Are Natural Burials Legal?
When it comes to safety concerns, the first thing that comes to mind will be the legality of such a practice. Simply put – yes! They are definitely legal.
However, many cemeteries have their own policies and not many of them maintain sustainability practices. After all, it is easier to maintain the landscape and ground level when caskets and vaults are used. It is well within their rights to apply such restrictions to the individuals that choose to have their final resting place within their grounds.
However, these cemeteries’ policies are based on organizational preferences and not the law.
How Deep Are the Bodies Buried in Natural Burials?
Some people may have heard that natural burials tend to be shallower than the traditional burials we are used to. This is true. The body is generally buried at three to four feet as opposed to five to six feet. This is due to three main reasons. Firstly, by not using elaborate caskets, there isn’t a need for such a large hole. Secondly, placing the body near the surface allows for a faster and more efficient rate of decomposition, allowing the soil to utilize nutrients in the body. Lastly, burial at two to four feet is sufficient to prevent smells from escaping as well as provide protection from animals in the area.
Is It Safe to Have Natural Burials Near a Water Source?
One of the largest concerns would be whether or not the decomposing bodies would contaminate groundwater or other water sources. The key differentiator is that when natural burials are done responsibly, they are definitely safe. In fact, the materials used in caskets and embalming fluids have shown greater evidence in research to contaminate groundwater than decaying human remains.
At the end of the day, the decision to choose a natural burial, traditional burial, or even cremation is a hard one. Not only is there an information overload, but there are also other factors like family and religious beliefs to take into account. Here at American Heritage Cemetery Funeral Home Crematory, we aim to ease the process for you and your loved ones as much as possible with our funeral planning services. If you have any questions, you can contact us at any time.
