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Embalming Introduction Issues with Tradition History of Burial Embalming Issues with Tradition History of Burial Introduction The embalming of bodies is perhaps Today, most traditional cemeteries Prior to the Civil War, embalming was Death is a touchy subject. It seems the most environmentally detrimental burial require that caskets are placed in cement vaults a non-existent practice except in the realm of intuitive that such an inevitable process as dying practice. Embalming is a process in which two to prevent the ground above the casket from Ancient Egypt. In colonial America, when a would be incorporated into our awareness that gallons of formaldehyde-based preservation settling as the coffins decompose. This practice family member passed the body would be we are connected to the natural world, and yet fluid is pumped into a corpse in order to reduces cemetery management costs and available for viewing for a day or two as family in America, our fear and uncertainty of death maintain the deceased’s appearances for public prevents headstones from becoming skewed. and friends came around to say goodbye. The discourages its prevalence in our culture. Such viewing. The aim of an embalmer is to make However, cement vaults are made of 1.6 tons of body would then be disposed of, either in a aversion of death tends to limit our the body look peaceful, as though the reinforced concrete and inhibit the natural local cemetery or on the property of the investigation into post-mortem practices. Many individual were sleeping rather than dead. This decomposition of the corpse. In addition, since deceased. Death was very much a part of life, people do not realize the wide range of is meant to take the edge off of death and to the cement industry is the most energy intensive and families and neighbors would take possibilities open to them concerning the allow loved ones to say goodbye to the person of all manufacturing industries, this practice has responsibility for the disposal of their loved disposal of the physical body after death. In they have known. Embalming also allows the significant climate change impacts. one’s body. most circumstances, families of the deceased burial process to be prolonged, enabling leave the body to be dealt with by morticians friends and family to plan ahead for the Modern caskets are not made for efficient During the Civil War, soldiers were often killed and cemetery workers who constitute the $20 viewing and funeral ceremonies. There are decomposition. Rather, nearly all of them are far from their homes and therefore their billion dollar mortuary industry. While in many certainly benefits to this system, but constructed of metal and treated wood, both of families would not have the opportunity to say ways it might seem natural to let the funeral embalming practices are ultimately toxic and which require decades to fully decompose. It goodbye to the body in person. This all home professionals deal with the disposal of the changed when Dr. William Beatty pickled the human body, today’s standard burial practices Replenish Plus Replenish may seem sensible to keep treated materials and a formaldehyde infused body enclosed within a body of a young naval officer so it could be can result in significant environmental concrete container, but the vault does not returned to his family. Embalming was derived detriments. In light of this information, I encourage readers to include natural, “green” prevent hazardous effluents from seeping into from this act, and as medicine began to the surrounding soil due to the porous nature of advance, so too did the mortuary industry. burial in their funeral and burial considerations. cement. Disposal of corpses became a much more clinical and removed process, leaving families Garden Rant By eliminating foreign, potentially toxic to mourn as professionals prepared and materials, green burial ensures that any certified disposed of their loved ones. This cultural shift green cemetery will remain in a natural state propelled the mortuary industry to reach the without incurring significant ecological damage. level of success that it has today. unnecessary. A study conducted by the Journal In fact, the unobstructed decomposition of the Market View Farm of the National Cancer Institute proves that body will provide nutrients to the surrounding formaldehyde is a carcinogen, stating that those earth, acting as a fertilizer for future growth. In this image, we see three different picturesque green burial sites. who have worked in the mortuary industry for Not only does such a process benefit the a substantial period of time have a higher risk environment, it appeals to many individuals of contracting myeloid leukemia. It isn’t only who find comfort in the knowledge that their The most important components of a green embalmers that are at risk. When an embalmed death will advance other life cycles. burial are that only biodegradable materials are body decomposes, formaldehyde is released used, toxic embalming fluids are omitted, and into the surrounding soil, allowing for Green cemeteries do not allow non-native the deceased are buried in a scenic and natural contamination of potable water due to seepage plants, plastics, metals, or polished headstones The pickled body of a soldier could be returned to his family for area without the erection of a traditional burial through the soil. within their boundaries to reduce the potential burial during the Civil War. The pickling process was then monument. of contamination. refined to create the practice of embalming. Cremation Cost Fun Facts Cremation, another popular form of 2014 statistics show that a typical Six weeks after burial, a body loses all of burial, can also be evaluated for its traditional funeral with a cement vault costs its moisture to the surrounding soil. In two “environmental friendliness.” Incinerating a $8,505, twenty-nine percent more expensive years, the soft tissue has completely body allows one’s ashes to be spread in scenic, than 2004 figures. This value doesn’t include decomposed. After twenty years, all that is meaningful areas, or be used in creative ways, cemetery charges for a plot of land, so a family left of the body is a nutrient-rich soil. such as in art and jewelry. Because it takes up can expect to pay around $3,500 on top of the little to no cemetery space, cremation is $8,505, leading to a grand total of $12,005 in net When sealed coffins were first created, thought to be a very ecologically friendly expenses. Traditionally, families pay for a casket, many exploded after burial due to pressure process. Unfortunately, this isn’t entirely the embalming, a beautician, attire for the deceased caused by anaerobic decomposition. case. While cremated remains do not pollute for a viewing, a viewing service, the funeral Last Things Burying a body in compost quickens the the environment directly, the process required service, a hearse to transport the body from rate of decomposition and eliminates to incinerate a human body to a fine ash is very place to place, a plot of land in a cemetery, malodor. energy intensive. The burning takes multiple expenses for digging the grave, a cement vault hours at high temperatures and uses up to and associated labor costs, a headstone, a There are currently only two green thirty gallons of propane per body. written obituary, and floral arrangements. Many cemeteries in the state of Maine: Cedar Additionally, if the corpse has been embalmed of these expenses could be reduced or Brook Burial Ground in Limington, and for viewing purposes or has any mercury eliminated with green burial, leaving an average Rainbow’s End Green Cemetery in fillings or other such toxic contaminants, those cost of $2,000 per green burial (highest estimate Orrington. compounds are released into the atmosphere currently $5,000). Alleviating financial pressures along with a significant amount of carbon in times of mourning is a key benefit to green Ramsey Creek Preserve in North Carolina dioxide. burial. was the first ever green cemetery, established in 1988. Connection to the Kennebec Land Trust The Kennebec Land Trust (KLT) works A pine “wedge” coffin designed and created by Chuck Lakin of cooperatively with landowners and communities to Waterville, Maine. Made entirely of untreated wood, this coffin The Kennebec Land Trust (KLT) is considering a green cemetery initiative. Such a project would conserve the forests, shore lands, fields, and wildlife will decompose completely. that define central Maine. KLT protects land require a substantial amount of time and commitment, but if an appropriate site were found in the permanently, offers opportunities for people to near future, KLT is willing to evaluate the feasibility of partnering with a private or public entity to learn about and enjoy the natural world, and create and manage a green cemetery. Funeral expenses from the green cemetery could be dedicated works with partners to support to cemetery management and future conservation projects. The burial process would still be handled sustainable forestry and farming. Green Burial by supportive funeral homes, but the service would take place soon after death, allowing the embalm- KLT 331 Main Street P.O. Box 261 ing process to be skipped. KLT could also easily link a green cemetery project to its ongoing Local Winthrop, ME 04364 207-377-2848 tklt.org The Natural Way to Go Wood WORKS initiative. Most green caskets are made of pine, an abundant forest resource in Maine. Local woodworkers could supply locally harvested and crafted coffins, and area funeral Thank you to those who helped with this project: homes could ensure that every aspect of the funeral goes smoothly. In order to develop and maintain Joyce Foley, Chuck Lakin, Lynn Roberts Reed, Andrew Tolman, Dave Roque, Carol Hassell, Jean- By: Josh Caldwell a functioning green cemetery, KLT must first establish a partner who would be willing and able to Luc Theriault, and Theresa Kerchner Kennebec Land Trust Intern run a cemetery.
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