Only your loved ones and yourself can decide if a green burial is the ideal burial choice for your family. This article will serve as an introduction to what exactly is a green burial and whether burial insurance policies cover this type of burial or not. So, without further ado, read on!
What is a Green Burial?
A green burial is essentially a kind of burial that is particularly designed to have as low an environmental impact as possible and preserve valuable natural resources. A green burial (also referred to as a natural burial) puts major emphasis on sustainability and simplicity. In a general green or natural burial, the body is put in a biodegradable container and buried in a gravesite to completely decompose and return to mother nature. The body is not cremated, dealt with any chemicals, or interred in a concrete vault.
A green funeral or burial’s characteristics will differ, but most of these characteristics share several similarities that aim to lower the environmental consequence of end-of-life funeral arrangements. In most of the scenarios, these green burials make use of storage containers and materials that are friendly to the environment and fully biodegradable by steering clear from:
- Metal or cement coffin vaults
- Embalming fluids
- Clothes and garments made from particular materials that are toxic to the environment
Natural and green burials do not utilize conventional embalming fluid. If you would like a green burial, you can instead use alternative embalming oils (when required) that are chemical-free. Such oils can degrade without leaving any trace chemical behind in the earth’s soil.
Furthermore, green burials are generally more economical than conventional burials since the former does not require you to buy a conventional casket.
Does Burial Insurance Cover a Green Burial?
In case you didn’t know already, burial insurance is a life insurance type that people use to pay for funeral services and expenses related to merchandise post a death. A common question that most individuals ask is whether burial insurance covers a green burial.
The answer is yes, and you may utilize your burial insurance policy’s proceeds to have a green or natural burial. One of the best things about burial insurance is that it has no limitations (designated-use).
A green burial also reduces the insurance amount you require since it eliminates the need for grave vaults, metal caskets, and embalming. These factors can easily increase the expense of a conventional funeral by tacking on another $4,000 or more.
If you would like to learn more about how a green burial works to decide if it is the right choice for you or gather the most useful information regarding burial insurance policies, do not hesitate to reach out to us!