Environmental Costs of Cemeteries

​A vast majority of people are buried in a traditional cemetery when they die. In every town across the country, there are both small and large plots of land that are dedicated to this very purpose. While not every cemetery is maintained as well as others, the cost of maintenance can be significant, both in terms of finances and environmental; there are various other costs associated with cemeteries as well. 

As the nation’s population grows, and as more and more land is needed to build homes and house the population, can we reasonably expect to continue burying people in the ground?

What Are the Costs of a Traditional Burial?

The Casket and Related Materials
The cost of a casket can range considerably depending on the material and other features. For a casket on the economical side, typically made of pine, while still providing a quality appearance, the cost could range from $500 to $1,000. On the high-end side, a casket could cost upwards of $6,000 to $7,000 or more.
 
There are also environmental costs of the casket, which include using trees for wood, metal for hinges and other fasteners, and various natural and processed materials for the cushions and lining inside the casket. 

In addition, though not every cemetery requires it, there is also the burial vault. This is a cement or sometimes steel enclosure that holds the casket, protecting it from the elements as well as helping to prevent the soil surrounding the burial plot from sinking. The cement industry is a leading producer of carbon dioxide. ​

According to an article in the Berkeley Planning Journal, the United States uses 30 million board feet of wood (each board foot is 12 inches by 12 inches by 1 inch), more than 104,000 tons of steel, 1.6 million tons of concrete, and 800,000 gallons of embalming fluid.

The Cemetery
The cemetery grounds themselves need to be maintained, such as the grass, headstones, trees, and flowers. This costs the town or city money to hire the maintenance company, as well as resources, including water and the means to bring in the water. In many cases, fertilizers are used to maintain the appearance of the grass, which can be harmful to groundwater, nearby animals, and potentially to pets or people walking through the area. 

Preparing the Body
Embalming fluids are used to preserve the body until the time of burial, and they contain a mixture of chemicals including formaldehyde, methanol, and others. The general rule is that a body needs one gallon of fluid per 50 pounds of body weight. These toxins can leach into the ground and air, affecting groundwater and anyone who comes in contact with the fluid.

Now, Imagine Being Buried Naturally
No chemicals being put into your body, no expensive wooden or steel caskets, no one maintaining the plot with fertilizers, far fewer resources being used – simply returning your body back to the earth. It sounds refreshing!

Choose a Green Burial For Your Final Resting
PlaceEverAfterly, based out of California, offers green burial plots around the country. A body is simply wrapped in a cotton shroud and placed directly into the ground. The grounds are preserved through natural land management techniques, allowing native plants and animals to truly thrive. Our green burials are a cost-effective, sustainable way to be buried, preventing harmful effects on our environment. 

Learn more about our natural burial sites, including Morgan Oaks Eternal Preserve, and contact the EverAfterly team to learn more about what we do.