Green Burial Comes to the Piedmont!

It is undeniable that going “green” is trending these days.

From the rise of electric cars to the emergence of home biogas digesters, consumers want to feel like they are reducing their environmental impact and taking care of the earth. Yet more evidence is Bluestem, the Piedmont’s first “green” burial site, which opened in Orange County in February of 2022. It includes 90 acres of grassland and forest, hiking trails, and a pond. There, families can bury their loved ones in a way that honors the individual as well as their connection to the earth. And as a bonus, being laid to rest at Bluestem is just over half the median cost of a conventional full body burial.

But what exactly does a “green” or natural burial entail? Simply defined, it is burial the old-fashioned way – no toxic chemicals and nothing that isn’t biodegradable.

First, there is no embalming, a practice that first became widespread during the Civil War. During that time, families that could afford it would embalm their fallen soldier’s body with arsenic in order to preserve it during the journey back home. After Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, his body was embalmed as well and visited several cities for citizens to pay their respects before finally being laid to rest. This popularized the practice that continues to this day.

Now typical embalming is done with formaldehyde. This colorless, strong-smelling chemical is so toxic that the EPA defined it as a carcinogen after both animal and human studies indicated that it may cause cancer in funeral staff. While green burial typically does not involve embalming for those reasons, green embalming, which uses non-toxic chemicals and essential oils, has in recent years become available at some funeral homes. Dry ice is another “green” alternative for body preservation.

When it comes to caskets, a green burial will abandon those made of treated wood or synthetic materials in favor of biodegradable shrouds and caskets made of untreated wood or wicker. This supports soil health while removing the possibility of toxic substances leaching into nearby subsurface waters.

As for vaults, they are not needed at green burial sites like Bluestem. This is because their main purpose is aesthetic, to preserve the manicured beauty of cemetery lawns by preventing the ground from settling as the casket and body decompose. This is of no concern at green cemeteries, where the beauty of nature is the beauty of the gravesite and the natural variety and imperfection of the landscape are embraced rather than suppressed.

In the end, a green burial at Bluestem presents a variety of options and opportunities. Families can work with a funeral home, a home funeral guide, or take care of the pre-burial preparations themselves. Prior to the service, Bluestem staff dig a grave at a depth of 3.5 ft, deep enough to hide smell of the body and not attract animals, but shallow enough to encourage rapid decomposition, support soil health, and reduce risk of water contamination. After the service, the family and participants have the opportunity to work together to fill the grave or let Bluestem staff do it. All of this, together with the beautiful natural setting, provide for an intimate and meaningful way to say your final good-byes to your loved ones.

Whatever your burial arrangements, remember that the team at Hillsborough Wills & Trusts has the expertise to help you Build Your Circle of Security through strong legal documents and good counsel. We are here to help you succeed!

Call us for a free consultation at 919-245-8440 or contact us today.