Massachusetts Green Burials
Green burials have been in the news a lot recently. Called “green” for its ecological completeness and frequently known as a natural burial, the green burial option is rapidly taking its place among the most popular end-of-life options offered by funeral and burial professionals. As conventional burial costs continue to rise, green burials have joined cremation as a top choice for environmentally and cost-conscious individuals and families wanting to respectfully return a loved one to the earth.
A green burial emphasizes simplicity and environmental sustainability. The body is neither cremated nor prepared with chemicals such as embalming fluids. It is simply placed in a biodegradable coffin or shroud and interred without a concrete burial vault. A flat headstone or natural tree or shrub sometimes marks the site. The grave is then allowed to return to nature. Family members record the GPS coordinates of the site for future remembrances and visits. The aim is complete decomposition of the body and its natural return to the soil. It truly reflects an “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” burial philosophy.
Are Green Burials a New Idea?
Green burials are not new. Most burials prior to the mid-19th century were conducted this way, as are many Jewish and Muslim burials today. Green burials are enjoying a resurgence in popularity for several reasons including simplicity, lower costs, conservation of natural resources, elimination of hazardous chemicals, and preservation of natural areas.
Your dedicated professional team at Casper Funeral Services completely embraces the green burial concept and has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to natural burials. Green burials have been an important part of the Casper service offering for many years and we are pleased to see this ecological choice gaining in popularity worldwide. The Casper team complies with all requirements and intricacies necessary to provide easy-to-understand process and procedure for individuals and families seeking this ecological burial service.
Are Green Burials Legal in Massachusetts?
Green burials are legal in Massachusetts and throughout New England. State laws do not require the use of a grave liner or vault. A cemetery’s board of directors or a city or town’s cemetery commission develop their own rules and regulations about the kind of burial that is allowed in their cemetery. In addition, it is legal to bury a deceased loved one on private property, although local board of health is required.
Long recognized as one of New England’s premiere funeral and burial professionals, The Casper team firmly believes our proven expertise, experience, knowledge, and A+ Better Business Bureau rating inspire consumer confidence and certainty that we are the right choice to manage your green burial needs. And we do all this at a surprisingly reasonable cost.
Contact an Experienced Green Burial Funeral Home Today
Please visit our website to learn more about our green burial offerings. We have a full page of pertinent information that will help you decide if returning your loved one to the earth naturally is right for your situation and circumstances. We look forward to hearing from you.
About the Author: Joe Casper is a licensed Massachusetts funeral director and owner of Casper Funeral and Cremation Services, a Platinum Associate Member of the Hospice and Palliative Care Federation of Massachusetts. Casper’s provide low cost cremation services and international funeral shipping services across Massachusetts. They are always available to answer your funeral questions at 800-314-1890.
