🌿 I Get Asked This All the Time: What’s the Greenest Way to Die?
Let’s talk real.
One of the most common questions I get in my inbox, in comments, at events, and sometimes even at the dog park is, "What’s actually the most eco-friendly way to handle a body after death?"
The truth? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But if we’re stacking them up environmentally, yes, there are greener options. And there’s also a lot of greenwashing out there. So let me break down what’s what when it comes to green burial, human composting, flame cremation, and water cremation.
🔥 Flame Cremation
The old standby. It's what most people are offered, especially if they’re in a rush or on a budget. But it’s got a major downside.
🔍 Facts:
- Each flame cremation = over 500 lbs of CO₂ into the air.
- Also releases mercury, carbon monoxide, and other toxins.
- The ashes? They’re inert — they don’t enrich the soil.
👉 Best for: Accessibility. But not the Earth.
💧 Water Cremation (Alkaline Hydrolysis)
This one’s gaining traction, it uses water, heat, and alkali (like baking soda) to gently break down the body. The result? Sterile liquid and clean bone fragments.
🔍 Facts:
- Uses about 90% less energy than flame cremation.
- No air pollution. No mercury emissions. Nothing released into the sky.
- What’s left? Pure white bone ash and sterile liquid, often returned to the water system.
👉 Best for: People who want a clean, low-impact option that still feels similar to cremation.
🪱 Human Composting (Natural Organic Reduction / NOR)
This is where your body is placed in a vessel with wood chips, straw, and airflow for about 45 - 60 days until it turns into rich mulch. It’s not just “dump me in the dirt”, it’s done in a controlled facility.
🔍 Facts:
- You turn into about 3 cubic yards of soil.
- It requires energy input and machinery, so not as green as burial, but way better than cremation.
- Gases produced (CO₂, ammonia) are filtered before release.
- Some people choose to keep part of the soil, and the rest is donated to conservation.
👉 Best for: Folks who don’t have access to a green burial site but still want to give back to the Earth.
🌱 Green Burial
This is the one where I light up. Green burial means no embalming, no plastic caskets, no vaults. Just a body, a biodegradable shroud or box, and the Earth.
🔍 Facts:
- Your body decomposes naturally, and stays in one location.
- Zero chemicals, zero emissions.
- Often done in conservation cemeteries, meaning your death helps protect wildlife habitats and green space.
👉 Best for: The truly Earth-loving minimalist.
🌍 Final Thoughts From Your Modern Mortician
I’m not here to shame anyone, but I am here to tell the truth.
If your goal is to leave the planet better than you found it, green burial is still the most natural, low-impact option. It’s literally the oldest way we’ve done it. After that, I’d rank human composting and water cremation as great middle-ground options for folks without access to a natural cemetery.
Note: Prices vary a lot depending on location, provider, and add-ons. Some funeral homes overcharge even for "simple" services.
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