GREEN BURIAL

For those who want to be particularly attentive to the environment or do not find value in conventional funeral arrangements, a green burial may be the best choice. Green burial is a simple and dignified method of earthen burial in which your loved one is traditionally interred in the ground though avoids the practice of embalming with toxic chemicals, use of metal caskets, or concrete burial vaults. This method truly embodies the teaching ‘ashes to ashes, dust to dust’.

Reasons to consider green burial:

• A meaningful way to honor a lifelong commitment of sensitivity and respect for the environment
• It’s a simple and natural process, with no embalming
• Burial takes place in a comforting, natural setting
• Use a biodegradable casket or no casket at all
• No concrete burial vaults required
• Safe and beneficial to the environment
• Economical

Options you may choose with green burial include a home vigil service, services in the funeral home, a graveside service, a memorial service independent of the burial, or no service at all.

There are three green cemeteries in the Tri-state area: The Riverview Natural Burial Grounds at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Sleepy Hollow, NY (approximately one hour north of New York City), Steelmantown Cemetery in Woodbine, NJ (an approximately three-hour drive from New York City) and Greensprings Natural Cemetery in Newfield, NY (approximately five and a half hours from New York City). All offer lovely natural settings and will surely comfort those who visit.