Friday, December 8, 2006

Cradle-to-Grave Environmentalism

A new green burial movement is gaining momentum. Burial without metal caskets, vaults, or embalming has been practiced in Britain for a decade. Will this novel method of recycling catch on in the US? Listen to the NPR story here.
Posted by at
Labels: , , ,

2 comments:

earthartist said...

“A Statement of Values”

The design of cemeteries and burial grounds has long reflected the cultural values of the peoples that built them. William Gladston, a former British Prime Minister, once remarked, "Show me the manner in which a nation cares for its dead and I will measure with mathematical exactness the tender mercies of its people, their respect for the laws of the land, and their loyalty to high ideals." The “green-cemetery” or natural burial ground reflects the changing cultural values of our society and expresses a commitment to a sustainable lifestyle in the most personal manner.

The increasing number of natural burial grounds across North America indicates that this fledgling movement has both significant grass roots support as well as mainstream acceptance. The development of green burial standards will help ensure that that the full potential of this movement is realised. The Green Burial Council should be commended for their leadership and vision.

Forest of Memories, is a non-profit website that provides information and resources supporting the natural burial movement in North America. According the Forest of Memories website, http://www.forestofmemories.org there are now half a dozen natural burial grounds in the USA with several others planned in both Canada and the States.

The natural burial ground provides a number of benefits for the greater community including an enhancement of the urban greenspace network, development of multi-use recreational spaces and improvement of the ecological diversity of the area. Natural Burial allows people to make one final act, to communicate, in death, a statement of their values about life.

Mike Salisbury is the principal of Earthartist Landscape Architecture – a design firm specialising in the development and design of natural burial grounds
On the web - http://www.earthartist.com

December 12, 2006 at 2:02:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...

Thanks for the article guys.

I appreciate your POV - a most blogs/sites only sell you on the concept and not the long term.

I'm in love with the concept of Green burials, because I hate waste, and in all honesty, traditional cemeteries scare me. Not peaceful at all. I however, do not know how my religious catholic family will take it, if one day they open a letter from me after I pass, to know I want a burial they dont understand. My mother even bought me Burial Insurance at a young age, so one day, wife/loved ones could give me a "proper" Burial.

Anyways, thanks for the open ear! Keep us updated!

January 10, 2007 at 2:40:00 PM EST

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)