| | | | | (Emily Sabens/The Washington Post; iStock) | | This week, I'm exploring a green death. Most of what we call "traditional" funerals are bad for the environment — and relatively recent inventions. Perhaps it's time for a rethink. | |  | | I'm standing at the summit of Fernwood Cemetery just outside San Francisco. Live oaks sprout from the hills like leafy castles. A red-tailed hawk turns circles in the sky above me. And below me, hundreds of bodies are slowly returning to the earth. This vista takes in one of the largest natural burial sites in California. Every person here (or their loved ones) decided that their last act should be as green as possible. But was it? | | My own mother died last July with no instructions on how she wanted to be laid to rest. My family had to navigate a disorienting "death care" marketplace, sorting through options such as Titan Series Steel Casket, Bahama Blue Granite Cross Grave Markers and something called the Athena Urn Vault. These were only the accessories. Securing a burial plot in my area — even with just a shroud and no headstone — could run $15,000. Overwhelmed, we finally chose a simple cremation. It was not the most climate-friendly choice, but it felt like the best we could do in the crush of the moment. | | By planning ahead, you can make greener choices. A distinct shift is underway in how we approach death in the United States. More than half of Americans are now seeking greener funerals, according to the National Funeral Directors Association, and the percentage is rising. What makes a funeral green? I found lots of claims — and a few studies — about the things that make a meaningful difference for the environment. The search also raised some discomforting questions: Just how open was I, for example, to dissolving my body in a vat of lye? (I'm in. I think.) | | So I marshaled the best available evidence to help you make a more informed decision for yourself, or someone else. In my latest column, I look at the most commonly available options — and their carbon footprint. Here's a preview of what I found: Cremation and coffin burials: Each year, cemeteries in the United States bury 64,000 tons of steel and 1.6 million tons of concrete — enough to rebuild the Golden Gate Bridge. Cremation, meanwhile, emits greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to driving 500 miles in a car. Human composting: After about 45 days, this process will turn your body into a cubic yard of nutrient-rich soil and bones with a negligible environmental impact. Natural burial: Bodies are buried in a simple shroud or biodegradable caskets made of wood, bamboo or cardboard. No embalming, grave liners or conspicuous headstones are allowed. Water cremation: The body is placed in a vat of highly alkaline water, where soft tissues dissolve within a few hours. The resulting tea-colored liquid is safe to pour onto the ground as fertilizer or down the drain. | | Read my column for a practical guide on how to choose your final resting place. | | And did you know I read all your emails? Be part of the Climate Coach community. Write with clever ideas, bad jokes and ways I can make this newsletter better for you at climatecoach@washpost.com. Last week, Rob of Portland, Ore., said, "Show your work. … Don't give us conventional wisdom. Go farther." Thanks, and I will, Rob. And Myrleen, 85, of Carmel, Calif., said my last column wasn't news to her (and the rest of us should keep up). "I enjoy my LED's. I have a programmable thermostat and love it. I never wash clothes with hot water. I don't prewash my dishes, never have. … Thanks for your article … it's useful for people to hear these truths." | |  | | See you on Thursday, Michael Coren, Climate Coach | | | | | | | | | |
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