Holding An Environmentally-Friendly Funeral

By: Alterna Cremation
Thursday, March 17, 2022

When a loved one passes away, it is common to want to honour them with a memorial or a funeral service. Many people are now looking at the traditional funeral a bit differently, though. They want to remember their loved ones while still holding an environmentally-friendly service that won’t do damage to the environment. 

 

How can you go about holding a funeral that pays respect to your loved one but also is easy on the environment?  Learn more about how you can host an environmentally-friendly funeral here: 

 

Skip the Flowers

For many people, their first thought when they hear that someone has passed is that they should send flowers. Flowers can be a thoughtful tribute, but that money may be better spent in other areas that make a bigger impact. 

 

Instead of requesting that mourners send flowers, send a short note requesting donations to a charity that your loved one was actively involved in. Donating money in their honour is a great and eco-friendly way to pay tribute to their legacy. 

 

Eco-Friendly Urns or Caskets

No matter whether your loved one requested a direct cremation or a more traditional burial, you can impact the environment by choosing an environmentally-friendly urn or casket for them. You will have many options for the material, including bamboo, banana leaf, cardboard, seagrass, and more. These types of caskets and urns are more biodegradable and have a lesser impact on the world around them. 

 

Alternatively, you may be able to rent a casket if your loved one requested a traditional funeral service followed by cremation. This cuts back on waste and allows you to select something nice for them without having to worry about the environmental impact of burying the casket. As a perk, it also tends to cut back on the cost of a funeral service. 

 

Transportation

A funeral procession can be made up of many cars, each using gasoline to transport themselves from one stage of the funeral to the next. One way to combat this is to request that attendees ride their bicycles to the funeral home, burial site, or scattering location. If the distance is too far for them to walk or bike, then you can request car sharing. 

 

Avoid Paper Products

Many families choose to have memorial pamphlets, hymn books, and other documents printed for guests to take and remember their loved ones. However, this creates a great deal of paper and tree waste. Instead of having Order of Service sheets printed, you can create a digital landing page where attendees can view the information on their smartphones. For those who don’t have smartphones, you can email them the documents ahead of time. 

 

If you do decide to print out some of these documents, make sure to use recycled paper! 

 

Choosing Direct Cremation

If you’re interested in direct cremation in Winnipeg, Alterna Cremation offers the packages you need. Our locally-owned funeral home can help you plan the direct cremation services that bring honour to your loved one’s memory. Give us a call today to learn about how we can help you. 

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

Pre-Planning Cremation: Why It Makes Sense For Your Family

Thinking about cremation might not be the most pleasant thing in the world, but it’s well worth the potential discomfort. By pre-planning your cremation, you can reduce stress, save money, and ensu...

Aftercare Services: The Support Continues After Cremation

When a loved one passes, there is so much to deal with, from grief to legalities. Assistance in helping you process your loss shouldn't stop after cremation.  Here are a few ways that we can ...

Environmental Considerations: How Cremation Reduces Carbon Footprint

As you put your end-of-life wishes in order or make arrangements for the funeral of a loved one, there are countless decisions to make. One of the most pivotal is whether to choose burial or cremat...

Winnipeg Cremation Services Provider Offers Custom-Engraved Keepsakes

WINNIPEG, MB:  Alterna Cremation, a locally owned and operated funeral home providing dignified direct cremation services, is now offering custom-engraved keepsakes to the families in its care...

Traditional Vs. Direct Cremation: Which Is Right For You?

Planning a funeral service for yourself or a loved one can feel overwhelming when you’re already mired in grief. One of the first decisions to make is whether you want to opt for direct cremation o...

The Role Of Cremation In Eco-Friendly Funeral Planning

Many people prize the opportunity to be as eco-friendly as possible. Beyond just shopping at a local farmer's market, you might also want to look toward having a green funeral. An eco-friendly fune...

How To Properly Store An Urn In Your Home

When a loved one passes away, you want to do what you can to honour them and the life they lived. For many people, this means storing their loved one's ashes somewhere in their home. While keeping ...

Female-Owned Winnipeg Funeral Home Reflects On Five Years In Business As International Women’s Day Is Celebrated

WINNIPEG, MB:  Alterna Cremation, an alternative funeral home focused on dignified and direct cremation services, is in its fifth year of business.  And, with International Women’s Day be...

Burial & Cremation Cost Comparison: Understanding The Financial Implications

When a loved one passes away, several decisions must be made for the funeral. For many families, one of the most difficult decisions is whether to bury their beloved or have them cremated—and it of...

How To Talk To Kids About Death

Death is an inevitable part of life, but many parents face a unique challenge when a loved one passes on: Telling their kids and explaining what death means. Young children may have a hard time pro...