There are many companies and some not-for-profits offering Natural (or Green) Burial. On the surface level of consideration this sounds like a wonderful innovation and Natural Burial may have some environmental benefits compared to standard burial or fire cremation.

For a person conducting their funeral planning who has a serious ethical dimension to their thinking and legacy, a key question, is, which is a more environmental and ethical option – Natural Burial or Water Cremation?

Both Natural Burial and Water Cremation can be considered genuine Green Funerals.

Coffin options used in Green Funerals

There are all types of operators around claiming to offer ‘Green Funerals’ and the consumer needs to be wary of these. Some operators simply replace a standard coffin with one made from recycled materials and call this a Green Funeral. The standard coffin is an environmental abomination as they are usually made from chipboard, which is wood fragments glued together with toxic glue, and then laminated to give a fake wood appearance. Replacing a standard coffin with one made from recycled or natural materials is a first step, but not a completely satisfying outcome.

Green Funerals and Headstones

If the deceased is buried in a standard cemetery, there is the making of the headstone and its materials, as well as the regular mowing and watering of the gravesite, which, over the period of years and decades can have a major, detrimental environmental impact. Some studies have found that mowing and watering the gravesite over decades can produce more carbon emissions than a fire cremation! With green funerals no headstone should be used as the materials and the making of the headstone contributes greatly to the carbon emissions for the funeral.

Natural Burial vs Water Cremation relating to land use

Some providers of Green Funerals are providing a more considered product, the Natural Burial, sometimes also called a Green Burial. Typically with this product, the deceased is buried in natural settings, usually more natural bushland as part of a larger cemetery. Sometimes the deceased is buried in a wicker casket or coffin made from recycled materials.

While we applaud these attempts and innovations to care for the environment, Environmentally Friendly Cremations asserts that Water Cremation, by Aquamation® provides more environmental protection and benefits than Natural Burial.

One reason we believe Water Cremation, by Aquamation® is a preferable option is that Natural Burial still takes up precious land space that could be preserved or deployed for much needed sustainable housing in our communities. Most people want to be buried within proximity to a city so that their children and other family members can visit their burial site on the deceased’s birthday, Mothers’ or Fathers’ day, at Christmas and Easter and the significant days of other religions.

By placing Natural cemeteries at the outskirts of cities, this loses valuable land space that could be sustainably developed or preserved in pristine condition.

With Water Cremation, by Aquamation® there is no wastage of land. Water Cremation, by Aquamation® produces Ashes, as with cremation, that can be stored in an urn or sprinkled in a garden or at the deceased’s favourite location.

Digging the Natural Burial site and the upkeep of the site

With Natural Burial the gravesite still needs to be dug. This is usually done by a machine of some sort producing carbon emissions. If the grave is dug manually, this commands respect, but it is unlikely that this is being done manually at many Natural Burial sites. We encourage customers to enquire about this.

At the Natural Burial site, will the operators allow it to be completely overgrown with grass becoming very long and unsightly? This would be a disappointing experience for family members visiting the site. It is likely that some level of upkeep will be required with whipper-snippers at least being used and these have an environmental imprint over decades of use. Regular mowing may also take place every 3 months or so.

Pacemaker concerns with Natural Burial

There is some concern being raised about pollution from pacemakers that comes with Natural Burial as well as standard burial. With Natural Burial the pacemaker is not removed from the deceased and we applaud this as this maintains the dignity of the one who has passed over. However, concerns have been raised about leakage from the battery in the pacemakers and the toxic environmental impacts of this.

With Water Cremation, by Aquamation®, the pacemaker also DOES NOT need to be removed. In fact, with Water Cremation, the pacemaker can be recycled and some families are even sending the pacemaker to the developing world to be reused.

A word of warning about some Water Cremation providers.

A cautionary note about Water Cremation providers. In recent months several new providers have started operating. These operators initially contacted Environmentally Friendly Cremations and its affiliate, Aquamation® Industries. The owner of Aquamation® Industries, Mr John Humphries has spent more than 4 million dollars on research and development of the prestigious Aquamation® machines. The operators of the new services pretended to show interest to get information and may have little understanding of the Water Cremation process. They may be using more primitive, homemade Water Cremation equipment that is less respectful to the body.

Talk to us to learn more about our significant investment in our Aquamation® machines and their place in the industry. Our Aquamation® machines were a finalist in the prestigious Australian Technologies Competition in 2015. 

Call John to learn more about our process on 0433 336 722. This is an obligation free conversation.

Below is a reference list of objective, informative websites, not affiliated with Environmentally Friendly Cremations, nor do they directly endorse our services or the views expressed on this webpage. These may be informative to our customers.

What is aquamation? The process behind Desmond Tutu’s ‘green cremation’. The Guardian.

Natural burials, ‘water cremation’ and more – here’s your guide to a sustainable funeral. ABC News Australia.