‘Green Burial’ or ‘natural burial’ is a method that is thought
to support the earth’s ecosystem. It is
a burial method developed as a consequence of rising global eco-consciousness
as an alternative to conventional burial or cremation. The topic of “Green Burial†is a relatively
new addition to the recorded and documented methods of burial or cremation
employed by civilizations for ages.
THE BEINHAUER FAMILY PROVIDING FUNERAL SERVICES SINCE 1860
TheBeinhauer Family
has been involved in serving families since 1860. The Beinhauers in 1910 built the first
structure in Allegheny
County designated to
serve as a Funeral Home. They added an
on-site crematory in 1921. Still in
operation today, it is the second oldest
continuously operating crematory in the United States. In 1997 they became owners of Woodruff
Memorial Park & Community Mausoleum and Peaceful Pastures
Pet Cemetery.
The Beinhauers for six consecutive generations have
prided themselves in being at the forefront of providing the types of funeral,
cremation and cemetery services people expect.
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THE HISTORY OF GREEN BURIAL
It is reported that the first green burial took
place in England in 1993,
since then the number of green burial grounds in the UK has grown to 40. In the United
States one of the first natural burial grounds was opened
in 1996 in South Carolina. In accordance with specific state laws green
cemeteries are established as conservation areas. At the present time California,
Florida, Georgia,
Maine, New Jersey,
New York, South Carolina,
Texas, Washington
and Utah have
dedicated Green Cemeteries. The Funeral
Consumers Alliance of Western Pennsylvania recently reported in a newspaper
article that green burial is generating some local interest. The closest all-green cemeteries to Pittsburgh are located in Wilmot,
Ohio and Ithaca,
New York.
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METHODOLOGY OF GREEN BURIALS
With green burials, to avoid the use of chemicals, the method requires
that the body be refrigerated rather than being embalmed prior to burial. Caskets used are made of biodegradable
materials. A natural or green burial may
simply mean burial without embalming, in a biodegradable casket without a vault
when permitted by a cemetery. The body
is buried relatively close to the surface of the earth (usually about 24 to 30
inches down), in an attempt to nourish plant growth during the decomposition
process. Grave markers are most commonly
native stone materials, which lay flat on the ground. Trees and shrubs native to the particular
state are often planted on the grave to further promote the establishment of a
woodland cemetery setting.
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The land areas which would be
referred to or associated as “green cemeteries†need to be in designated
conservation grounds with the desire to restore the land to its natural
condition and promote conservation efforts as a whole. Green cemeteries would
not use herbicides, pesticides or irrigation for the maintenance of the
cemetery grounds. The desire is to
restore the land as closely as possible to what it was prior to European
colonization. The annual environmental
impact of traditional burials is estimated as follows: 30 million board feet of
hardwoods are used – much sourced from rainforests; 104,000 tons of steel (used
in caskets and vaults); 2,700 tons of copper and bronze; and 1,636,000 tons of
reinforced concrete. (1)Compiled
using statistics from the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), the
Casket and Funeral Association of America, Doric, Inc. (Manufacturer of
Top-sealed and lined concrete burial vaults), and the Rainforest Action Network.
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The biggest issue
environmentalists site as the adverse impact of the cremation process is
fossil-fuel consumption. The release of
mercury emissions-primarily from dental amalgam fillings is identified as a
source of air pollution. Another
environmental issue is the release of dioxins which are formed when chlorinated
compounds are oxidized. An aside to the issue of fuel consumption and air
pollution, green burial proponents point out an emotional negative caused by
the fact that not all cremated remains are buried in a memorial setting. For this reason then, often times people feel
that they are not provided the opportunity to visit a special place to honor
and remember their loved one.
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GREEN FUNERAL HOMES
The
National Funeral Directors Association relates that a green funeral
incorporates environmentally friendly options in order to meet the needs of a
family requesting a green service. A
green funeral may include any or all of the following: a small gathering in a
natural setting, use of only recycled paper products, locally-grown organic
flowers, carpooling, organic food, no embalming or embalming with
formaldehyde-free products, the use of sustainable biodegradable clothing,
shroud or casket, and natural or green burial. The NRDA further goes on to
identify a green funeral home as one that operates in an environmentally
responsible manner. Owners and staff
comply with environmental protection, health, and safety laws and regulations,
and follow the association’s environmental, health and safety best
practices. Green funeral homes are
energy-efficient and follow resource-saving practices, operating in a manner
that is sustainable. Sustainable in the
sense of requiring the adoption of business practices that do not deplete
resources and those that will have a minimal impact on the environment.
What should I do if I am
interested in a Green Funeral or Green Burial? Educating consumers and providing
the most options to the families has always been a goal of the Beinhauer Family
Funeral Homes and its affiliated cemeteries.
The philosophy of “Celebrating
the Life of a Loved One†takes into account the wishes of the deceased and
provides a family with many choices--the type of meaningful services desired,
choosing ground burial, mausoleum crypt or niche entombment, cremation,
memorialization, and today perhaps even ‘Green Burial’. Please feel free to ask any staff member for
more information. Please also feel free
to call to set up an appointment with one of our family members, or a member of
our caring and knowledgeable staff at which time you may ask questions and make
arrangements to suit your needs. Making
arrangements in advance provides peace of mind for your family and also permits
making decisions at a less emotional time. Our years of experience in the
Funeral and Cemetery Industry have taught us to listen first, and then assist a
family with making their decisions. Our
counsel has been provided for 150 years at no charge or obligation. During that time no family has been denied a
Christian Burial based on their ability to pay.
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Rick Beinhauer continues,
“When the Woodruff Farm on Route 19 was purchased in 1997 to be converted to Woodruff Memorial Park the intention was always
to create a cemetery that kept the overall picturesque and natural beauty of
the site.†That philosophy can be seen
as construction on the Community Mausoleum nears completion. The interior of the Mausoleum features a
Pennsylvania Woodland scene. The
two-story mausoleum was designed to fit into the existing landscape with
interior and exterior crypts, 1000 cremation niches as well as a library room
with 700 bronze and glass niches. Gardens to accommodate in ground burials have
been developed without disruption to the topography of the panoramic landscape.
On the subject of Green Burials, sixth
generation licensed funeral directors, Aaron and Scott relate, “We are actively
planning on researching interest in and possibly setting aside land to be used
for green burials through our 160 acres at Woodruff Memorial Park. We look
forward to continuing our family’s commitment to providing outstanding funeral,
cremation and cemetery services with the utmost concern for our families and
the environment.â€Â
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Beinhauer Family
Funeral Homes
Bethel Park Bridgeville Canonsburg Dormont Peters Township
‘Green Burial’ or ‘natural burial’ is a method that is thought
to support the earth’s ecosystem. It is
a burial method developed as a consequence of rising global eco-consciousness
as an alternative to conventional burial or cremation. The topic of “Green Burial†is a relatively
new addition to the recorded and documented methods of burial or cremation
employed by civilizations for ages.
GREEN FUNERAL HOMES