Lately, there has been a movement to educate consumers of alternative burials. One such movement asks consumers to consider a “green burial.” A green burial is aptly named because it aims to provide ecological soundness.
A conventional burial in the United States typically involves embalming, a casket made of hardwood or steel, and a concrete grave liner or vault.
A green burial in contrast, usually entails a biodegradable wrapper and no embalming. The grave is typically marked by a flat memorial stone or other grave marker such as a tree or other planting. Computer mapping such as a GPS is often used to locate the grave. Advocates of a green burial argue that this technique conserves resources, protects groundwater and returns bodily nutrients back to the land. The cost of green burials is significantly lower than conventional burials. One estimate puts the cost of green burial at under $3,000.00 whereas the average funeral nationwide costs approximately $6,500.00.
The proper document to provide your burial instructions, which may include a conventional burial, cremation or green burial, is the Health Care Proxy. A experienced estate planning and elder law attorney can prepare this document accordingly so that your burial instructions are carried out properly.
By: Todd C. Ratner, Esq.
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