Eco-Friendly Post-Death Alternatives

You don’t have to settle for traditional options like embalming or metal caskets.

I'm going to share some eco-friendly ways* to dispose of your body when you die. Ways that better care for our bodies, our community, and our planet. I'm not a funeral director, but as an environmentally conscious death doula, I've helped many clients, concerned about our planet, to die by the same values with which they've lived.

What’s Wrong With Traditional Embalming or Burial?

Embalming and traditional burial have negative impacts on the environment in general and death workers in particular.

Here are some reasons why:

Chemical Use in Embalming Fluids

Embalming involves the use of chemicals such as formaldehyde, methanol, ethanol, and other preservatives to slow down the decomposition process. These chemicals harm the environment when they leach into the soil after burial. Formaldehyde, in particular, is a known carcinogen. This harms embalmers and other death workers as well.

Resource Consumption

Traditional burial involves the use of non-biodegradable materials such as metal caskets, …