Preparing an ecological funeral: sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions
Introduction
Our life choices increasingly reflect our environmental concerns. Food, transport, consumption: we seek to reduce our carbon footprint. This ecological awareness now extends to the end of life. Ecological funerals are gaining ground in Switzerland and elsewhere, offering environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional funerals.
A conventional burial generates a significant carbon footprint: exotic wood coffin, chemical embalming products, imported headstone, energy-intensive cremation. Faced with this reality, many families are seeking more sustainable solutions. Sustainable funerals do not mean abandoning dignity or remembrance. On the contrary, they offer ways to honour the memory of a loved one in line with their values.
Biodegradable coffins, burial in memorial forests, ecological cremation, compostable urns: the options are multiplying. This guide explores the different solutions available, their costs, and how to express your ecological wishes for a funeral that respects both your loved ones and the planet.
📌 Summary (TL;DR)
Ecological funerals offer sustainable alternatives to traditional funerals: biodegradable coffins, natural burial, low-emission cremation, compostable urns. These solutions reduce the carbon footprint whilst preserving the dignity of the final tribute. Expressing your ecological wishes in advance directives allows you to organise funerals in line with your environmental values, often at costs comparable to traditional options.
📚 Table of contents
Why choose an ecological funeral?
Traditional funerals leave a significant environmental footprint. A treated wood coffin contains toxic varnishes, embalming uses formaldehyde, and cremation emits CO2.
Choosing an ecological funeral responds to a consistency of values. For those who have lived respecting the environment, it makes sense to honour this conviction until the final moment.
Sustainable funerals offer concrete alternatives: biodegradable materials, less polluting processes, return to nature. A way to honour memory whilst preserving the planet. Discover more details in our article on ecological burial.
Ecological burial solutions
Green burial offers several options in Switzerland and elsewhere. These alternatives favour natural materials and decomposition without harmful impact.
Solutions vary according to personal convictions and local regulations. Some are already well established, others are gradually emerging.
Here are the main approaches available for an environmentally friendly burial.
The biodegradable coffin
Biodegradable coffins use natural materials: reinforced cardboard, woven wicker, bamboo or untreated wood. They decompose naturally without releasing toxic substances.
Unlike traditional varnished coffins, these models respect the natural cycle of decomposition. They are available in Switzerland from several funeral homes.
Aesthetics are not sacrificed: these coffins can be personalised with natural fabrics or simple decorations. A dignified and respectful option.
Burial in nature
Natural cemeteries and memorial forests are gradually developing. The body is wrapped in a biodegradable shroud, without a coffin.
In Switzerland, regulations remain strict. Burials in nature require specific authorisations and are limited to certain dedicated sites.
Marking is done by a tree or plant, without a traditional headstone. A symbolic return to the earth, in a preserved natural environment.
Promession and other innovative alternatives
Emerging techniques push the boundaries of ecological funerals. Promession cryogenises the body before reducing it to organic powder. Aquamation uses alkaline hydrolysis for gentle decomposition.
These methods significantly reduce the carbon footprint compared to traditional cremation. They transform the body into usable compost.
In Switzerland, some of these techniques are not yet authorised. Legislation is evolving slowly, but interest is growing.
Ecological cremation: reducing impact
Ecological cremation represents a popular option in Switzerland. Approximately 90% of Swiss people choose this solution.
However, traditional cremation consumes a lot of energy and emits CO2. Greener alternatives exist to limit this impact.
Two main aspects make cremation more respectful: the choice of crematorium and the fate of the ashes.
Choosing low-emission cremation
Modern crematoria incorporate advanced filtration systems that capture particles and reduce polluting emissions. Some even recover the heat produced to heat buildings.
Enquire with your funeral home about the equipment used. Not all crematoria are equal in terms of environmental impact.
Consult our funeral homes directory to find professionals sensitive to ecological concerns.
The compostable urn and responsible scattering
Compostable urns are made from biodegradable materials: compressed sand, salt, papier-mâché or plant fibres. They dissolve naturally without residue.
Several scattering options exist. In Switzerland, scattering in forests is authorised under certain conditions, as is scattering at sea in certain areas. Always check local regulations.
Tree urns allow a tree to be planted with the ashes. A symbolic way to transform death into new life, creating a living place of remembrance.
Comparing costs: ecological vs traditional
Contrary to popular belief, ecological funerals do not necessarily cost more. Often, they are even less expensive.
A biodegradable cardboard coffin costs less than a varnished solid oak model. The absence of a headstone in a memorial forest represents a substantial saving.
Some specific investments exist: a plot in a memorial forest may have an initial cost. But over time, without concession maintenance fees, the balance is often favourable.
Transparency is essential. Discuss openly with professionals to compare options and their actual costs.
Expressing your ecological wishes
Formalising your wishes ensures they will be respected. Without clear directives, family may not know your convictions or may hesitate when faced with available options.
Two steps are essential: drafting an official document and communicating with your loved ones.
Anticipating these questions also relieves your family, who will not have to guess your preferences at a difficult time.
Writing your advance directives
Put your wishes in writing in a dated and signed document. Specify the type of burial or cremation desired, preferred materials (biodegradable coffin, compostable urn), and location.
Also mention your preferences for the ceremony: secular, religious, outdoors, with or without flowers.
Inform your loved ones of the existence of this document. Entrust a copy to a trusted person or your solicitor to ensure its preservation.
Dialogue with your family and professionals
Communication in advance avoids misunderstandings and tensions. Explain your motivations to your family, share your ecological values.
Meet with a funeral home to discuss the feasibility of your wishes. Not all providers offer the same ecological options.
This discussion also allows you to adjust your expectations according to local and regulatory realities. To go further, consult our article on the rise of personalised ceremonies.
Organising an environmentally friendly ceremony
Ecological consistency also extends to the ceremony itself. Favour local and seasonal flowers, grown without pesticides. Avoid arrangements with non-biodegradable floral foam.
Limit travel by choosing a nearby ceremony location. Encourage carpooling among participants.
Opt for digital communication media. Publishing an obituary online on Wolky replaces paper announcements and allows easy sharing with loved ones, wherever they are.
A digital memorial page offers a permanent space for remembrance, accessible 24/7, without environmental impact. Discover how practices are evolving in our article on the future of funerals.
Benefits beyond the environment
Sustainable funerals go beyond the simple ecological question. They represent an act of personal consistency, the ultimate expression of one's values.
For the family, respecting these wishes brings a comforting feeling. Knowing that the deceased rests according to their deep convictions gives meaning to this difficult moment.
It is also a transmission to future generations. Showing that memory can be honoured with dignity whilst respecting the planet.
The symbolism of returning to the earth, of the natural cycle of life, resonates deeply. These funerals tell a story of respect: towards the deceased, towards nature, towards the future. To understand this evolution of practices, read our article on the evolution of funeral rites.
Ecological funerals represent much more than a trend: they embody a coherent approach that extends our environmental values to the final tribute. From biodegradable coffins to low-emission cremation, through burial in nature, sustainable options are multiplying and gradually becoming accessible in Switzerland.
Preparing an ecological funeral requires anticipation and dialogue. Writing advance directives, discussing with loved ones and identifying professionals committed to this approach are essential steps to ensure your wishes will be respected. Costs, often comparable to traditional funerals, are no longer an obstacle.
If you wish to express your final wishes or honour the memory of a loved one in an environmentally friendly way, consult our funeral homes directory to identify professionals sensitive to these values. You can also publish an obituary that reflects the deceased's ecological commitment.
