CNN "American Morning" this morning promoted the ultimate green decision: a green funeral.
Correspondent Greg Hunter discussed the option for those who choose "Going green as their final gift to the Earth."
"It's very peaceful," said Hunter, "There's a growing interest in scaled-down version of a traditional funeral which costs on average of more than $6,000, but cost is not the only reason people are choosing to go green."
It's certainly the only reason I would choose to.
Hunter's segment featured Memorial Ecosystems, Inc. of Westminster, S.C. which will provide a green burial at the 76-acre Ramsey Creek Preserve for about $2,275.
But according to Hunter, there are only a half dozen or so "green" burial grounds in the country - not exactly convenient for everyone since going green means not embalming the person.
Hunter also quoted environmental columnist Mark Harris, who advocated green burials in his book "Grave Matters." This story was just the latest example of CNN's green crusade.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Wouldn't the ultimate "
May 14, 2007 - 15:50 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveWouldn't the ultimate "green funeral" be more like leaving the body where it expired to crumble and rot back to nature? Cost $0. No people in attendence so no one using fossil fuels to travel to and fro.
What do I care whether my funeral wreaks environmental havoc? I'm already dead!
"Believe what you want. You work your side of the street, and I'll work mine." --Frank Bullitt
I just read of an "experiment" along those lines
May 14, 2007 - 15:58 ET by RJI just read of an "experiment" along those lines in Texas that had to be shut down. The purpose was to evaluate how bodies decompose when they're left above ground and out in the open.
A large area had even been screened off to keep predators away, but they had to pull the plug at the last minute because of concern that circling vultures would present a hazard to aircraft in the area.
They're looking for another location....
On the other side of the wo
May 15, 2007 - 05:05 ET by sarcasmoOn the other side of the world, vultures are the solution to the problem of human body disposal. I think it makes sense. If given the choice, being buzzard-bait -- maybe combined with donating parts of my body to science somehow -- sounds nicer than either a cremation or traditional burial to me.
JMR
Good suggestion MG, but someh
May 14, 2007 - 21:11 ET by Wilbur747Good suggestion MG, but somehow I think the lib/envirowhackos will spin your idea into proof of man-made global warming.
A person dies and rots, putting untold (and as yet unresearched) levels of some kind of greenhouse gas (they'll find one I'm sure) into the atmosphere. Then there will be thousands of flies and maggots spreading disease and then more people die, rot producing more gas and disease...
And it will all be due to man-made global warming! At least the grass will be green and we won't have to worry about the oceans rising 25 feet!
My dad went about as "
May 14, 2007 - 16:12 ET by MightyMouthMy dad went about as "green" as you can, he's in an urn on my mothers fireplace mantle. Slow news day at CNN?
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Bad news MM,Back in 2004 the
May 14, 2007 - 18:12 ET by InsufficientContextBad news MM,
Back in 2004 the Church of England issued a directive saying "Clergy are to be asked to discourage cremation because of the greenhouse gases generated..."
Actually having a fireplace is just adding insult to injury I'm sure....
Don't they understand that
May 14, 2007 - 18:26 ET by MightyMouthDon't they understand that a 3X6 foot plot and headstone is less green than the minute amount of greenhouse gases from one cremated body? Besides, the church of friggin England was booted out of America ages ago!
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Worse news MM,"During cr
May 14, 2007 - 18:42 ET by InsufficientContextWorse news MM,
"During cremation the body is heated to 850 degrees Celsius (1,562 degrees Fahrenheit) for 90 minutes, produced more than 50 kilograms (110 pounds) of carbon dioxide.And that doesn't include the carbon cost of fuel, or the cost of the emissions released during the production and burning of the wooden casket." Environmentalists probably won't be happy until excarnation is the norm, and really, who doesn't want to be devoured by wild animals. Of coures there's the issue of the amount of trans-fats a person has eaten in their lifetime, what with bio-magnification and all. Don't want the vultures to get heart disease, do we?
And I think the Anglican church is making a comeback. Some Episcopalians churchs have gotten ticked off by their mother church becoming too liberal and have signed new charters with the Anglican church.
I CYou seem to know these thi
May 14, 2007 - 18:49 ET byI C
You seem to know these things, what toxic chemicals are required by law in a standard burial?
Also many of the 'reformed episcopal' churches sign on with the Anglican under Bishops in Africa and South America as the church of England is also quite liberal.
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
GAAAAHH! I tried looking for
May 14, 2007 - 19:21 ET by InsufficientContextGAAAAHH!
I tried looking for the chemicals, but I don't want to anymore. I found Arterial Embalming Fluid, All-Purpose Embalming Fluid, Cavity Firming Preservative, Multi-Purpose Cavity Fluid and Cauterant, Massage Cream, Sealant Powder, Injection Conditioner, and Chelator(no idea). I would really prefer to not look for a list of ingredients on said products, but I don't think there's a law for which chemicals need to be used. The chemicals used just prolong a persons "shelf life" before burial. I'd just as soon tell the mortician "2 days" and leave it up to him.
Sorry i had no intention of f
May 14, 2007 - 19:26 ET bySorry i had no intention of frustrating you, however there are govt regs requiring toxics be used in standard burial, not exactly 'green'. I've also heard that the Neptune society has more red tape, as does speading ashes in National Parks
Supreme Court, National Security, Borders, Fiscal Restraint, my litmus test for President.
botg,quite alright. No frus
May 14, 2007 - 19:39 ET by InsufficientContextbotg,
quite alright. No frustration involved. Just a little creeped out by the "Cavity Firming Preservative". Icky.
I've got a solution
May 15, 2007 - 02:45 ET by SportPoliticsI've got a solution.
For the lib crybabies do as they say to them, torture with various sharp objects before the end, a good bleed lightens the carbon load, make sure they experience waterboarding (this gets their "spirit" use to their final resting place) - also so they know what horrid torture they tried to prevent and what good people they are because of it - a nice and neccessary self esteem boost, also make sure there's a cup or two of blood left in them, so they can "share with nature" soon. Grab their psycho mesmer chant candles and various fornication plugs from around the room, and drip the hot wax to seal from leakage - sure this will induce more screams and struggling and burn more calories, but hey you can't win them all.
Then sling over the shoulder, walk out the back door to the ocean's edge, and toss em in, noting that quite happily for them, they're in the largest carbon sink their mothergod has provided, and the sharks will do the rest.
Now, that's like almost carbon free burial, what a gram maybe from a few candles ? Can I get an Alluh Ahkbar ?
Ahhhh....what the heck is the
May 14, 2007 - 16:17 ET by bigtimerAhhhh....what the heck is there to say?
To each there own.
The ultimate green is
May 14, 2007 - 16:20 ET by misterbillThe ultimate green is ---Soylent Green. Please remove my hindquarters and send them to T----er. I am sure he would love to burn my buns.
Hahahaha! "There are
May 14, 2007 - 16:22 ET by MightyMouthHahahaha!
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Hmmmmm-- a very tasty looking laugh--
May 14, 2007 - 16:25 ET by misterbillHmmmmm-- a very tasty looking laugh--you may be the appetizer.
MMs --melt in your mouth, not in your hand. The T----er will be thrilled.
Oh NO! misterbill!!! "
May 14, 2007 - 16:29 ET by MightyMouthOh NO! misterbill!!!
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Hello, Clarise...
May 14, 2007 - 16:30 ET by RJHello, Clarice....
the only "green"
May 14, 2007 - 17:56 ET by Mivvisthe only "green" they're concerned about here have dead presidents on them. another three hugger scam.
Actually, I think this is bre
May 15, 2007 - 07:12 ET by rimskyActually, I think this is breaking down barriers to entrance into the funeral services biz. I mean, what is this really, if not good marketing? The current pricing structure for funeral services these days is over the top, with the main beneficiaries being funeral home's and last expense life insurance companies. This new kind of, 'Green' (translated - economy size, not cheap, just inexpensive) funeral is just a potential way of re-distributing some of those revenues. Call it what ever color you like.. doesn't really matter.