As awareness of environmental issues continues to rise, many individuals are reassessing their choices regarding not just their daily lives but also their final moments on earth. The concept of eco-friendly funerals has gained traction as people actively seek to minimize their carbon footprints even in death. Rachel Hawthorn, a resident from Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, is leading the charge in this trend. “I don’t want my last act on this planet to be a polluting act, if I can help that,” she stated, showing a profound commitment to sustainability in all aspects of her life, including death.
To that end, Rachel has undertaken the challenge of creating her own burial shroud. This initiative stems from her concerns regarding the environmental impact of traditional burials and cremations. As it stands, cremation emits significant carbon dioxide—equivalent to the emissions from a flight between London and Paris—accounting for around 80% of UK deaths annually. Conversely, standard burial methods come with their own set of challenges; many coffins use harmful, non-biodegradable materials, and embalming fluids can seep into the ground, causing soil contamination.
In light of these issues, many are now exploring alternatives. A recent survey from Co-op Funeralcare revealed that one in ten individuals expressed a desire for more eco-friendly funeral options. This shift reflects a broader cultural movement towards sustainable practices. Rachel’s burial shroud, crafted from local materials such as wool, willow, bramble, and ivy, not only serves as a functional item but also as a piece of art that incites conversations about death—a topic often shrouded in taboo.
Increasingly, individuals like Rachel, who also works as a death doula, support families by helping them make informed decisions about funeral care. She highlights how discussions surrounding death can be enriching rather than distressing, noting, “When we talk about death, everybody I’ve met finds it a helpful and healthy thing.”
Rachel’s vision for her burial involves utilizing a biodegradable shroud in a natural burial, which allows for quicker decomposition compared to traditional methods. With a shallow grave, bodies can break down in 20 to 30 years instead of the prolonged century often seen in standard graveyards. Natural burial grounds in the UK diverge significantly from conventional cemeteries, emphasizing no pesticides, artificial headstones, or other non-biodegradable materials.
The demand for sustainable funerals continues to grow, exemplified by the experience of Louise McManus, who buried her mother at Tarn Moor Memorial Woodland near Skipton, employing an electric hearse and a locally made wool coffin. Such choices reflect an increasing consciousness about the environment, allowing the deceased’s values to shine through in the manner of their farewell.
Sarah Jones, a Leeds-based funeral director, asserts that her business’s need for sustainable practices is driven by customer demand. Since opening in 2016, she has seen requests for eco-burials soar from merely a “handful” to approximately 20% of her total business.
Despite the growing interest in natural burials, there are still challenges, including often higher costs and remote locations, which can elevate carbon footprints due to travel distance for loved ones wishing to visit the gravesite. Nonetheless, advocates like Rachel remain hopeful that these practices will become more normalized, echoing ways of the past when burial shrouds were commonplace.
Ultimately, the shift towards eco-friendly funerals signifies a broader re-evaluation of how we honor our loved ones in death, aligning final acts of love with sustainable practices. Rachel embodies this transition, stating, “I want more people to know there are options, and that we don’t have to end up in a box.” This sentiment reflects a collective yearning for a more mindful approach to end-of-life care, encouraging individuals to embrace the choices that resonate with their values and beliefs.
