We’ve all tried to be as green as possible. Recycling, grey water systems, car sharing – these measures go a long way towards reducing one’s ecological footprint in life. But what about in death?
The average burial is anything but green. Between the casket, which is made the paints and chemicals, and the ecological effects of the deceased’s remains themselves, the toll on the environment is profound. In the United States alone, 827,060 gallons of embalming fluid are buried every year. Just imagine the effect this has on groundwater reservoirs and animal life! Furthermore, Americans bury at least one million tons worth of steel in the form of caskets. These steel caskets do not biodegrade. Do you want permanent pollution to be your legacy after you pass?
There is a greener way to enter the afterlife: cremation. Motivated by the green movement, more and more Americans are opting for cremation. According to 2009 research by the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), there were 2,100 crematories in the U.S., which performed over 9,000 cremations, and that number keeps increasing. In fact, up to 37% of all deaths in the United States now result in cremation.
But what to do with the ashes? Traditional ash containers or burial urns can be costly, and displaying urns in a household is likely to be regarded as morbid. Furthermore, the age-old practice of scattering urns of ashes in cherished places is bad for the environment. Ashes can contain carcinogens or embalming fluids, which can seep into the ground just as in a traditional casket burial.
A greener and smarter choice for ash containers is ash keepsakes. Keepsakes for ashes can come in a variety of forms, from ash necklaces to almost any other form of cremation ash jewelry. These kinds of keepsakes for ashes are nothing new. As far back as the Roman Empire — 27 B.C. to 395 A.D. — cremation was a common form of dealing with remains, and cremated remains have been kept in cremation keepsakes since at least the Victorian Era.
Keepsakes for ashes can be made from a variety of different materials and metals and fashioned into any type of jewelry. One of the most common forms of ash cremation jewelry is the ash pendant. An ash pendant is a pendant or charm which contains the ashes of a deceased loved one. Just imagine: your loved one will never be more than a few inches away from your heart. Where would you rather have them spend eternity: scattered on the rain-soaked ground or resting comfortably on your chest?
If you’re looking for a green burial solution, look into keepsakes for ashes. These green alternatives will not only protect the environment, but ensure that your loved ones will always be by your side.
