How Green Burials Contribute To The Global Eco-Living Movement

*Collaborative Post

Eco-living has evolved a lot in recent years to stretch far beyond things like transportation, energy consumption and consumer goods. And today in 2025, people are now ironically thinking of eco-living in ways that apply to how we all say goodbye to our loved ones.

Green burials are the latest eco-friendly alternative to traditional cremation and funeral procedures, and they’re growing in popularity around the world among eco-conscious families looking for end-of-life choices that align with their environmental values.

We recently got in touch with the green burial experts in Yellow Springs, Ohio at Jackson, Lytle & Lewis to get a more in-depth glimpse into how green burials have become much more than just a niche funeral practice.

So, check out the below sections to learn more about how green burials are directly reflecting an ongoing shift toward eco-living and sustainability, long-term ecological stewardship and community responsibility!

The Environmental Issues With Traditional Cremation & Burials

A lot of people don’t realize this, but traditional burials typically involved non-biodegradable caskets, embalming chemicals and concrete vaults—which are all prone to leaving behind long-lasting carbon footprints.

Embalming fluids like formaldehyde are also known to seep into water and soil systems adjacent to cemeteries, and it’s no secret how metal and hardwood caskets require a lot of resource allocation and production.

And although cremation is technically considered to be a more eco-friendly practice, it still is known for having a significant ecological impact. This is mainly due to the large amount of carbon dioxide emissions that are polluted into the atmosphere, which is why both cremation and traditional funerals are currently being reassessed on a broad scale.

On the other hand, green burials help restore balance in terms of reducing material waste, eliminating harmful chemicals, and allowing a decedent’s body to naturally return to the earth.

The Core Principles Associated With Green Burials

At the very core of the concept, green burials are all about respect to the environment and ceremonial simplicity.

Some of the key principles of green burials include the following:

• No embalming chemicals, which makes it easier for the decedent’s body to naturally decompose.

• Biodegradable shrouds or caskets that derive from wicker, untreated wood, bamboo and other natural materials.

• Natural burial grounds that are found within forests and meadows, as opposed to perfectly manicured cemeteries.

• Minimal heavy equipment usage to reduce emissions and preserve soil health.

How Green Burials Align With Global Eco-Living Goals

It’s no coincidence how green burials align with much larger eco-living initiatives that have gained traction all around the world.

Some examples of this ongoing alignment include:

• Promoting Biodiversity: Green cemeteries often double as protected nature areas where trees, wildflowers and pollinators are able to thrive. These cemeteries also contribute to a local area’s conservation efforts.

• Reducing Carbon Emissions: By avoiding resource-intensive casket production and eliminating fossil fuel usage of cremations, green burials are going a long way to help families cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.

• Sustainable Land Usage: Most natural burial sites require less maintenance in comparison to conventional cemeteries, which leads to less pesticides, water and fuel use.

And as many countries push toward the goals detailed in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), green burials now provide a practical way for everyone to contribute their own small part when they pass away.

Cultural Shifts Toward Eco-Living

There’s no denying how the ongoing growth of green burials is a direct reflection of much broader cultural changes around the world.

Gen Z and Millennials are particularly prioritizing sustainability and eco-living in all walks of their lives, including the foods they eat and the products they purchase. This mindset is also now starting to extend toward how families make end-of-life choices.

A lot of people are also drawn toward the inherent symbolism associated with green burials. The concept of naturally returning one’s body to the earth resonates on a spiritual level, and it reconnects human life cycles with the planet’s natural ecosystems.

Green Burials Are Offering A Sustainable Legacy For Those Who Believe In Eco-Living

The global eco-living movement asks a lot more of us than just to examine how we go about living our lives, because it also reflects how our actions impact the planet long after we’re gone.

Green burials are providing a very honorable way for you and your loved ones to showcase environmental stewardship and a lasting legacy toward caring of the earth.

And by embracing these eco-friendly practices, families are now contributing to a much more sustainable future!

*This is a collaborative post. For further information please refer to my disclosure page.