Green burials: Economical and Earth-friendly
Sullivan Funeral Directors and The Preserve cemetery host green burials presentation Oct. 6
Green burials: Economical and Earth-friendly Sullivan Funeral Directors and The Preserve cemetery host green burials presentation Oct. 6 Check out this story on HometownLife.com: http://www.hometownlife.com/story/news/local/birmingham/2015/09/06/green-burials-economical-earth-friendly/71650274/
Published 12:04 a.m. ET Sept. 6, 2015
With green burial, a body is often placed in a biodegradable casket or shroud.
Learn how to honor loved ones while honoring the earth at a presentation at 6 p.m. Oct. 6 hosted by the Utica and Royal Oak Sullivan funeral homes and The Preserve in Waterford.
"A life lived green deserves a green celebration," Sullivan co-owner Michael Lope said. "We want people to know that they can have most of the ceremonies and practices they expect at the end of life and still respect the Earth and our environment."
The concept of green burial is simple – embalming and grave liners are not permitted in order to allow the natural rhythms of life to take their course. With green burial, a body is often placed in a biodegradable casket or shroud. The Preserve is the only cemetery in southeast Michigan certified by the Green Burial Council. Sullivan also follows the practices of the Green Burial Council.
The lead-up to a green burial may look no different from traditional funeral preparations. Whether funeral directors use eco-friendly embalming fluid or forgo embalming, families can hold visitations, even in their homes, or have a ceremony in a church, with dry ice preserving the body.
While cremation has some ecological advantages, the Green Burial Council notes that it often uses fossil fuels and may emit mercury from dental fillings, conditions that thoughtful families may overcome by recycling medical parts or contributing to a carbon fund. Cremation does avoid using land, but cemeteries like The Preserve protect and maintain open space and plant materials and offer a natural habitat for wildlife.
The free event will be held at the Birmingham Community House, 380 S. Bates Street, in downtown Birmingham. To attend, call 248-541-7000.
William Sullivan & Son Funeral Directors has served families for more than 100 years, beginning in Royal Oak in 1906 and expanding to Utica. The family-owned and operated firm has received the highest honor in funeral service, the "Pursuit of Excellence," "Best of the Best" and the Green Funeral Practices Award from the National Funeral Directors Association. The company is committed to the highest ethical standards while providing meaningful service to meet each family's individual needs.
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