In an era when countless people seem to be constantly reconsidering what it technically means to live well by embracing sustainability, mindfulness and connection, it comes as no surprise how we’re also now beginning to rethink how we want to leave this world behind.
Green funerals, also referred to as natural burials, offer a wonderful way for families to say goodbye to loved ones in ways that honor the earth and the interconnectedness of all sentient beings.
We recently reached out to the green burial specialists at Jackson, Lytle & Lewis to get a more in-depth glimpse into how green burials reflect holistic life philosophies, so check out the below sections to learn more about this growing trend in the funeral industry!
A Natural Way To Continue A Mindful Life
For those who live by a holistic philosophy, life is largely oriented around balancing mind, body and environment.
Green funerals directly reflect this type of mindset by emphasizing natural renewal and reducing environmental harm, which is very different than conventional funerals that are known to utilize metal caskets, embalming chemicals and concrete vaults.
Green funerals on the other hand allow for a more natural return to the earth via simple shrouds and biodegradable caskets. Natural burial grounds all around the United States also just so happen to be located in nature preserves, as opposed to manicured cemetery lawns.
This end-of-life care approach deeply resonates with individuals and families that practice mindfulness, because it minimizes environmental impact and builds awareness around the human connection between nature’s cycles—including in death.
Wholeness & Healing In The Grieving Process
Grief is both a physical and emotional experience, and holistic health deeply acknowledges how processing loss can support both the spirit and body. Green funerals often embrace this type of healing process through ritual, presence and nature.
Families will gather in a meadow, forest or conservation site—which are places that naturally evoke continuity and peace. Mourners often directly participate in green burial ceremonies by planting wildflowers, wrapping the body, or returning soil to the gravesite.
These types of mindful actions go a long way to create active reverence out of grief, and for many families, the natural settings of green funerals provide a grounding sense of renewal. By engaging with these types of natural end-of-life ceremonies and processes, we all nurture ecological balance in a way that’s both spiritually and emotionally harmonious.
Reconnecting With The Cycle Of Life
Modern society often tries to distance all of us from the reality of death by turning it into a hidden or sterile process. However, green funerals assist us in reconnecting with death as just another part of our existence—essentially mirroring the seasonal cycles we all see each year.
For instance, in autumn the trees shed their leaves in preparation for new growth—not in sorrow. A similar principle applies to natural burials in that our bodies return back to the soil and nourish new plant, insect and microorganism life.
This type of holistic perspective helps families and individuals reframe the ways in which they view death, because it quickly turns into an act of giving back to the earth. For countless people, this type of awareness transforms fear into a profound sense of gratitude.
Because by embracing green burial practices, our bodies become a part of something infinite!
A Philosophy Of Living & Leaving Lightly
The very core of holistic health is about living within balance, which includes caring for the planet just like we care for ourselves.
Green funerals embody this exact philosophy by offering people a way to lightly leave conscious life behind in a way that respects natural systems and compassion for loved ones.
It’s also important to keep in mind that choosing to embrace a green burial isn’t solely an environmental statement. This is because it’s also a direct reflection of mindfulness, which is essentially a conscious effort to honor life in any and all forms.
Green funerals remind all of us that living well includes dying well with integrity, awareness, and a deep connection to the earth that sustains the human species.
Embracing The Circle Of Life Through Green Funerals
In the holistic health worldview, life and death aren’t opposites—because they’re actually partners within the exact same transformational cycle.
Green funerals help families embrace this undeniable truth with gratitude and grace by choosing an end-of-life care approach that honors the earth and affirms how life’s ending is actually just a new beginning.
These types of mindful farewells are ultimately so much more than just a final act, because they’re a continuation of a conscious life that allows people to say I lived a life of wellness and balance, and I’ll return to the earth in peace.