The Greening of American Cemeteries…

and Green Burial

Photo courtesy of Greensprings

ADAPTED FOR THE SISTERS OF MERCY

MID-ATLANTIC COMMUNITY Part 1

History: What We’ve Done Part I

Introduction - How We Started• Growing Interest and Requests

– Several members of the Mid-Atlantic Community (MAC) expressed interest in having the option of a green or “natural” burial

– The Justice Coordinator continued to bring this request to the Leadership Team

– In fall of 2018 the Leadership Team requested a study of this option

TILLSON, N.Y. The Rosendale Plains Cemetery on Springtown Road in Tillson is joining a burgeoning natural burial movement that only just began early this century.

Charge of the Study Group

To study the process for GreenBurial for the MAC. To presentthe result of our study to theMAC Leadership Team inTwelve months (or less); makerecommendations to theLeadership Team; to facilitatethe presentation of thefindings of the study to thecommunity.

Formation of a Committee

Message was placed in the Mid-Atlantic Messages on November 29, 2018 with an open invitation to join the study group.

Green Burial Study Group• “Green burial” is a type of burial that is growing in popularity among the

ecologically conscious as well as those with religious and/or spiritual convictions. Green (or natural) burial is a way of caring for our dead with minimal environmental impact. This type of burial has been espoused by Catholics and communities of religious men and women across the country. Some sisters in the Mid-Atlantic Community have requested that we consider this type of burial. If you are interested in engaging in a preliminary study of this type of burial, please email Sue Gallagher sgallagher@mercymidatlantic.org by December 14, 2018. All meetings will be held using telecommunication modes. All questions and concerns are welcomed. (A reminder was included in the December 6, 2018 edition)

Committee is Formed• A committee of ten sisters from across the MAC was formed. Members

include:

– Marie Cook– Barbara Craig– Santa Maria D’Angelo– Suzanne Gallagher (Facilitator)– Mary Klock– Constance Kozel– Sally Lodge– Mary Mester– Ellen Smith– Kathleen Sullivan

Meetings are held by phone every 4 – 6 weeks

Motivations for requesting a green burial include the following:

• A way to show gratitude to the earth which has been so generous to us

• To prevent damaging the earth with chemicals and processed caskets and vaults

• Allows for a more natural way of being buried • Counter-cultural, and moves against the

industry that has grown in the past several decades

• Aligns with our motto “to live gratefully and simply”

Educating the Community

• Articles have been placed in the MAC Messages• Increased interest has been expressed by sisters• Contacts have been made with other religious

communities– Eg. FSPA (Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual

Adoration) in La Crosse, WI • Members have made contact with funeral

directors and cemeteries regarding green burial use and practices

• Visits to green burial locations

CRITICAL CONCERNS

GREEN BURIAL CAN HELP US TO LIVE OUT ONE OF OUR CRITICAL CONCERNS REGARDING OUR CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

WE CAN SUPPORT CEMETERIES WHO OFFER GREEN BURIAL OR MAKE USE OF OUR OWN CEMETERIES FOR GREEN BURIAL.

What Is Green Burial? A way of caring for the dead that furthers one or more

environmental aims such as: conservation of natural resources reduction of carbon emissions preservation/restoration of habitat the protection of worker health

Eliminates use of: toxic chemical embalming metal or exotic wood caskets concrete, fiberglass, or plastic vaults

Encourages: Use of biodegradable wrappings

-Including biodegradable containers family participation environmentally sound management practices

Photo courtesy of Prairie Creek

Environmental Impact of Traditional Burial

Each year, in 22,500 cemeteries in the US, we bury: 4.3 million gallons of embalming fluid containing

827,060 gallons of formaldehyde 20 million board feet of hardwoods 1.6 million tons of concrete 17,000 tons of copper & bronze 64,500 tons of steel

Worker safety issues 8 x higher risk of leukemia for embalmers (11.24.09 Journal of National Cancer Institute)

3 x higher risk of ALS for embalmers (7.13.15 Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry)

COPD, neurological disorders, cancer for maintenance workers due to herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers

Environmental Impact of Cremation uses fossil fuels to maintain

1900° F 2+ hours releases mercury and other

elements into air and water (Britain estimates cremation accounts for 16% of emissions)

produces 250 lbs. CO₂ per cremation

produces byproduct emissions of nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, dioxins, particulates

Green Cemeteries:

do not attempt to inhibit decomposition

employ environmentally sustainable practices

encourage philosophy of stewardship

may support land trusts, conservation lands, recreational preserves

Photos courtesy of Ramsey Creek and Glendale

GOALS OF A GREEN BURIAL

The first goal of green burial is to allow natural decomposition, gifting the body to the earth organically, rather than trying to impede it with chemicals or anaerobic conditions caused by encapsulating in containers or vaults.

The second goal is to run the cemetery in environmentally responsible and sensitive ways, treating it as a place where life goes on rather than as a warehouse for the dead and the non-biodegradable artifacts left behind.

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The Greening of American Cemeteries…

and Green Burial

Photo courtesy of Greensprings

ADAPTED FOR THE SISTERS OF MERCY

MID-ATLANTIC COMMUNITY Part 2

Growth of the Green Burial Concept

Part 2

Why Choose Green Burial?

individual preference environmental impact Cost

authenticity intrinsic value reflects Critical Concern

on environment

Photo courtesy of Ramsey Creek

Scientific Reports

Depth of interment - 3 – 4 foot depth optimum temp, moisture level for rapid, aerobic decomposition

Shallow burial optimizes land otherwise unusable

No soil or water contamination reported in or near green cemeteries

No animal disturbances reported in green cemeteries

According to the Green Burial Council

EmbalmingAlthough not legally required policy for funeral home viewing preserves body for up to 2 weeks has no protective properties

VaultsAlthough not legally required have been policy of lawn

cemeteries for maintenance reasons

have no protective properties

Public Safety “Once a human dies, infectious agents that would be of any

concern, including those on the individual’s skin or internal organs, is greatly diminished…there simply is no measurable risk of that body transmitting an infectious disease agent…” —Dr. Michael Osterholm, Center for Infectious Disease Policy and Research (CID)

“There is little evidence of microbiological contamination of groundwater from burial…Microorganisms involved in the decay process (putrefaction) are not pathogenic.” —Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)

Green Burial Reform Drivers

Who wants a green burial? transcends all socio-economic-

political boundaries eco-conscious consumers babyboomers members of spiritual

communities (hopefully the Sisters of Mercy!)

And why? environmental stewardship economics aesthetics

Photo courtesy of Only With Love

The Return to Ritual Feeds the human spirit Acknowledges change in the

community Deepens connections Tells the personal story Reclaims ritual shroud practices Provides the opportunity for

graveside service

Photo courtesy of Ramsey Creek

Types of Green Burial CemeteriesHybrid burial grounds in conventional cemetery no vaults biodegradable containers

Natural burial grounds in green cemetery prohibits toxic chemicals, non-organic

caskets, vaults, non-native markers

Conservation burial grounds on easement or land trust land preservation with burial fees creating

revenue stream to further conservation, restoration, recreation paths

Photos courtesy of Penn Forest

Green Cemeteries in NY, NJ, PACatholic-Archdiocese of Newark:Mahwah, NJ-Maryrest Cemetery is a hybrid cemetery. Green Burial section is called St. Francis of Assisi.

• Perpetual care• Wild flowers only• Names engraved on

boulders• All year round burial• Single: $1600 (possibly)• Double: $3000 (possibly)• Engraving: $425• Interment fee: $2050

Green Burial Cemeteries

Community Owned Cemetery, but not a Green Burial site:Sisters of Mercy in Merion , PA

Other Community Owned Cemetery:

Sisters of St Joseph, Brentwood, NYCalvary Cemetery (Hybrid Cemetery) Located on the property of the Sisters of St. Joseph. No green burials have taken place yet but some sisters have requested it and they will be buried in a Green Burial section of the cemetery.

State /Local Laws

Check here for state laws:

http://coeio.com/burial-laws-state/

Local Zoning Laws need to be checked also.

The Growing Demand

1998 1st US green cemetery More than 200 green cemeteries

Surveys say interest is rising: AARP 2007 42% Kates-Boyleston 2008 43% Funeral & Memorial

Information Council Harris Poll 2015 64%

US Catholic 2011 80% Nat’l Funeral Directors

Association 2018 53.8%

Photo courtesy of Final Passages

How Might It Work For Us?(Developing a Protocol)

1. A Sister would fill out a form indicating she would like a Green Burial

2. After specific Green Burial cemeteries are designated a sister would need to live within close proximity to that cemetery. (EG within 2 hours drive)

3. Specific Funeral Homes would be designated to prepare the sister for burial.

4. Immediately after death a service will be held at the bedside of the sister, and then her body would be taken to a funeral home and placed in a biodegradable casket (or shroud). Burial would take place as soon as possible with a graveside prayer service. Mass of Christian Burial could take place before or after the burial.

We Have a Choice

where death is where life goes on

destroys open space foreverpreserves natural ecosystem while supporting recreation, research, education, agriculture, forestry

Photo con the right courtesy of Ramsey Creek

Your Call to Action

Read Resources from the Green Burial Council

website at www.greenburialcouncil.org

Reach Out Contact cemetery trustees, owners to

request change.

For More InformationMid-Atlantic Green Burial Educational CommitteeSr. Suzanne Gallagher, RSM, Merion, PA sgallagher@mercymidatlantic.org

Some Communities that have Green Burial include: Adrian Dominican Sisters-MI Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration-WI Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood, NY

General source of information:Green Burial Council

www.greenburialcouncil.org888.966.3330

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