How to Cope with the Loss of a Loved One to Suicide
Losing someone to suicide is a shocking, emotionally turbulent experience.
Those dealing with the loss of a loved one to suicide will undoubtedly...
2 min read
By Mark Busch on May 17, 2018
Green burial is growing in popularity, as more people understand the environmental and societal benefits of natural decomposition.
This non-evasive, eco-friendly practice is free of toxic chemicals and fluids that are commonly used with earth burials.
According to the Green Burial Council (GBC), green burial “is a way of caring for the dead with minimal environmental impact that aids in the conversation of natural resources, reduction of carbon emissions, protection of worker health, and the restoration and/or preservation of habitat.”
If your loved one elects for green burial, you’ll want to put time into researching certified providers and products. Below, we outline three things to keep in mind when planning environmentally friendly end-of-life arrangements.
1. Ensure the funeral home is GBC-certified.
While many funeral homes claim they support green burial, you’ll want to make sure the funeral home is certified by GBC.
To become GBC-certified, a funeral home must submit an application and undergo an evaluation process. If passed, the funeral home is granted a license, verifying that the establishment is a certified Green Burial Provider. The funeral home agrees to periodic compliance monitoring to ensure certification requirements are met on an ongoing basis. Additionally, GBC has a list of Cemetery Certification Standards for green burial to take place.
To ensure the funeral home is up to date with GBC rules and regulations, visit Find a Provider to review certified providers in your area.
There are a variety of products associated with burial, ranging in material, style and price. However, not all products are GBC-approved.
Because of this, the GBC has set forth the following standards for green burial products:
Before making any purchases, take time to evaluate available products both online and offline. A GBC-certified provider can guide you in selecting the appropriate products for your loved ones final resting place.
Finally, you’ll want to inquire about green burial services.
There are a multitude of options available when planning and designing your loved one’s green funeral. To ensure final arrangements are reflective of your loved one’s wishes, GBC created the Green Burial Planning Guide.
This helps you and your family:
A funeral director can walk you through all of your options, and help you design a green burial service that honors the life and legacy of your loved one.
>>>Related Resource: Browse our store for a variety of environmentally friendly burial containers.
Busch Funeral and Crematory Services is GBC-certified. If your deceased loved one expressed interest in green burial, arrange services with Busch and let a member of our caring staff guide you through every step. No matter your request, we will work hard to exceed your expectations and fulfill your green burial service needs.
Image credit: Pixabay
Losing someone to suicide is a shocking, emotionally turbulent experience.
Those dealing with the loss of a loved one to suicide will undoubtedly...
Compassion and innovation are embedded in the roots of Busch Funeral and Crematory Services—and it all starts with our caring Busch staff. In our...
This post is part of our Perspectives on Grief series, where we ask our caring staff members to share their personal experiences with grief. For more...