Thinking about your own funeral is something many of us can naturally put off. It can feel uncomfortable to confront our mortality, and conversations around death are often avoided. However, planning ahead can actually be empowering. It allows you to have a say in how your life is celebrated and ensures your last wishes are carried out as you intend. For those who care deeply about the environment, it is also an opportunity to make a final statement that reflects your values. More people today are exploring eco-friendly funeral options, choosing to leave behind a legacy of respect not only for loved ones but also for the planet.
If you are hoping to reduce your environmental impact and ensure your farewell is as sustainable as possible, here are some meaningful ways to make your last wishes green.
Consider a natural burial
Traditional cremations have long been a popular option, but they come at a cost to the environment. Cremation requires high levels of energy and releases harmful emissions into the atmosphere. In contrast, natural burials are designed to minimise environmental harm. These burials often take place in woodland or meadow settings, where the body is laid to rest in a biodegradable coffin or shroud. Over time, the body naturally returns to the earth, nourishing the soil and helping the surrounding ecosystem thrive.
Choosing a natural burial also avoids embalming, a process that uses chemicals which can seep into the ground and disrupt delicate soil systems. Many families find comfort in the idea that their loved one’s resting place contributes to a living, breathing environment, often marked by wildflowers or a memorial tree. Such resting places can become havens for wildlife, while also offering a tranquil spot for friends and family to visit.
Select a biodegradable coffin or shroud
If a woodland burial isn’t possible or preferred, you can still make greener choices by considering the materials used for your coffin or shroud. Increasingly, funeral providers offer coffins made from sustainable materials such as wicker, bamboo, or cardboard. These break down much more quickly than traditional hardwood, which can take decades to decompose.
Alternatively, some people prefer the simplicity of a fabric shroud. Shrouds made from natural fibres like cotton, wool, or linen are gentle on the environment and avoid unnecessary resource use. By choosing biodegradable options, you reduce your funeral’s ecological footprint, whether the final choice is burial or cremation.
Explore alternatives to traditional cremation
For those who prefer cremation but want a greener option, there is an alternative: water cremation, also known as aquamation or alkaline hydrolysis. This process uses a mixture of water and alkali to gently break down the body, mimicking natural decomposition but in a controlled, accelerated way.
Water cremation is far less energy-intensive than flame-based cremation and produces no harmful emissions. While it is not yet widely available everywhere, interest in this option is growing, and it represents a promising step forward in sustainable funerals.
Reduce plastic and waste at your funeral
Funerals can unintentionally generate a significant amount of waste, from single-use plastic cups and plates at the wake to laminated service sheets and floral wrappings. With some planning, however, this can easily be avoided. Recycled paper can be used for printed materials, reusable tableware can replace disposable items, and floral tributes can be chosen without plastic wrappings.
These small, thoughtful changes help ensure that your farewell does not add unnecessary waste to the environment. Many families also opt to encourage donations to a charity or conservation project in place of cut flowers, creating a longer-lasting legacy.
Communicate your wishes clearly
Perhaps the most important step in planning a green funeral is making sure your wishes are clearly expressed. We would advise you to also create a funeral ‘wish list’ with our sister company Fiesta Farewell, so your loved ones understand your choices and can honour them when the time comes.
Planning ahead with support
If you’re starting to think ahead and make plans for the future, you may already have considered creating a Will or even setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA).
If this is something you’ve been meaning to organise, now is the perfect time to take that step. At Hughes Probate, Julie and the team specialise in helping people prepare for the future with compassion, clarity, and professionalism. Whether you’re interested in recording your wishes for a greener funeral, drafting your Will, or setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney, Julie can guide you through the process and ensure everything is handled correctly. Contact Julie today.
