Burial and cremation are the most commonly used options for final disposition freedom, but other choices may be right for you. Your personal preferences and cultural traditions can help you make a decision, but ultimately your funeral professional will be the one to guide you through each option.

 

Green burial is an option that many people choose to honor their ancestors and support the environment, as well as preserve natural resources. It requires less energy than cremation and uses biodegradable containers that are designed to reduce the amount of waste produced.

 

Termination is another popular alternative to cremation and is considered the best option for those who want to preserve their bodies while respecting the environment. Unlike traditional cremation, termination enables the body to decompose naturally, which removes toxins and heavy metals from the soil. It also enables a deceased to become part of the landscape and can serve as a memorial site or a place for the family to plant a tree.

 

Columbariums and urn storage are other alternatives to cemetery burial that allow your ashes to be preserved. These are areas within cemeteries that are designed to house cinerary urns and may be rented for a fee.

 

Full body donation is another type of body disposition that eliminates your funeral expenses. Currently, there are over 65 medical schools that accept anatomical donations, and you can find a list of those in your area online.

 

Donating your body to science can be an act of selfless love and compassion, and it may lead to important research breakthroughs that benefit the community. Contact the medical school you wish to donate your body to well in advance of your death and ask for more information about their specific procedures.

 

Cryonics is a process that freezes your body with liquid nitrogen to slow its decomposition, which may prolong your life. It is still in the development stage and may not be legal in all states, so speak with your funeral director about whether or not it is the best option for you.

 

Permission is a newer form of body disposition, but it has the potential to be even more eco-friendly than cryonics. It involves freezing a body with liquid nitrogen, then using sublimation to turn the frozen body into a powder. Click here for some body disposition options.

 

Water cremation is a more age-old option that has recently become available in the United States, but it is not widely adopted because it requires a large amount of space and costs significantly more than other methods. It is an environmentally friendly way to dispose of your body, and it has the added benefit of speeding up the process of natural decomposition by 20 years or more.

 

If you have a passion for helping the environment, you can also donate your ashes to an organization that aids coral reefs. It is an important habitat that is quickly disappearing, and this is an easy way to honor your deceased loved one while also doing your part for the planet.  Check out this related post to get more enlightened on the topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disposition.