My wishes to have a Green Burial someday

[a_natural_beauty]

Something I have been wanting to do for a few years is to make out a will - or a living will as it is known I think. To figure out what will become of my house and everything I own when I pass away - but most importantly what I would like to have done with my body. I would like have a green burial. If some of you have not heard of this term, here is a link: https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/science_green_burial.html

I have thought about this a-lot over the last several years. I just want to be burred in the ground naturally. No chemicals or any of that put into my body. This may sound dark, but give the little buggies something to munch on. I think it would be a beautiful thing to become one with the earth when my life is over. I've never seen the big deal about typical burials and all that goes into them. Both how they are towards the environment and our pockets. They are beyond expensive!

So now I just need to get the courage and start getting my plans into motion. A few years ago I went to a green burial site in the county I live in, about 40 minutes away from where I live. I may look into that one. It was a peaceful and positive experience. I'm a bit nervous - not about talking about when I will die someday, but as to the legal part. I'm nervous about what to leave to who. Since I honestly don't have anyone to legally leave my home to. I have a few ideas of what to do... but at least I know one answer about my afterlife plans and that feels like a start.

Comments

[matt_zimmer]

Very ironic. I wrote my will this past week. The uncertainty of the world certainly has people thinking about the end, doesn't it?

[a_natural_beauty]

Wow, that is ironic. How did you do it? I know different states have different laws/rules.
Yes, I hate to say that but yes.... also I have outlived a few siblings and other family members. We never know when our last day will be...

[matt_zimmer]

Used the Free Will site. Still haven't gotten witnesses to sign it yet but I will soon.

[a_natural_beauty]

Oh that's good, I didn't know that was an option. Thank you.

[adafrog]

Interesting. I didn't know some places were letting people do that. I have heard of a bunch of other options, though, including composting.

[a_natural_beauty]

I still need to learn how to go about it, but ideally as long as I can go back to the earth in a natural way I'm happy with whatever I can do. I recently read a nice article about the composting.

[jo]

I wanted to donate my body to a body farm, once I found out such things existed. Unfortunately, there's only one in Canada, and it's in a different province than the one I live in. At the moment, they only accept bodies of people who've died in that province. I'm now leaning towards donating my body to a medical school. Mostly just to avoid having to pay any funeral type costs since the school will cremate your remains once they're done with you.

[a_natural_beauty]

Oh yeah, that is an option. I know there is a body farm in Tennessee here in the U.S. But I'm not sure if they are taking any new bodies now. Or if they ever did, how the process goes.
Yes, that is a good choice. You'd be helping students fulfill their careers, I like that idea too.

[zefyr]

That's a very interesting topic, Beauty, and a positive thing to think about overall. As for me, though, they can throw my corpse on a trash heap for all I care, as it's just a vessel through which I experience this world and nothing more. Might be a nice thing for the scavenger creatures to devour. Anyway, I wish you all the best with your plans and hope you can attain the kind of burial you want.

[a_natural_beauty]

Yes, there actually are ways you can share your body with the ocean so the aquatic creatures can eat at it or with on a cliff where birds can eat at it. I've thought of those, too.
Thank you, that means a-lot.

[yourlibrarian]

A living will is actually a different thing, something that enables someone else to make health care or financial decisions on your behalf if you're incapacitated: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance_healthcare_directive

It's still a good thing to have in place, and even less utilized than wills, which is unfortunate.

I also want a green burial but a lot depends on one's location at death since transporting bodies is expensive. Other options such as composting, donation to medical schools or for research are also good options but limited by what's near you. I have a friend whose husband had a green burial (in a forest) so these definitely work fine if there's a provider near you.

Leaving assets to charity can be an option if you don't have individuals to leave possessions to but it's best to discuss with specific charities as some are in a better position to dispose of assets than others.

[a_natural_beauty]

Oh yes, I think I should do that, too. Thank you for showing me the difference.
We are never sure how much time we have left. Or what will become of us.

I'm going to do my research and see what's around me and what I feel comfortable with. As long as I'm not pumped full of chemicals, I'm fine with most options.

Thank you for all your information. I greatly appreciate it and find it helpful. :-)

[yourlibrarian]

Glad it was useful! You may also find this site helpful with a variety of related topics, and at the end you'll find relatively current information about burial options by state: https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/affairs-in-order

[a_natural_beauty]

Wow, thank you very much! I will save it for sure. ^__^

[jazznevermore]

Never heard of green burials before, but it's an interesting concept.

[a_natural_beauty]

It is! Feel free to check into it sometime, there are lots of ways you can go.

[brisus]

I think making a will is pretty difficult. I used a website and need to have mine notarized, but it is technically done.

I never heard of a green burial until now, but it makes sense. A natural way to go.

[a_natural_beauty]

That's good! I think it would be difficult, too. Partly why I'm nervous to start.

Yes, it's something that doesn't harm our earth. :-)

[frenzy]

I intend on being aquamated (aka water cremation), but if I can't, I've considered green burial.

Hopefully aquamation becomes legal in my state someday soon.

[a_natural_beauty]

Yes, that is a good option... I like that idea, too. I'm curious to see what is legal in Ohio...

[theradicalchild]

Green burial definitely sounds appealing to me, and I definitely don't want my death to be a financial burden on anyone. Thanks for sharing.

[a_natural_beauty]

You're welcome. I'm glad you appreciate it. It is something for all of us to think about. :-)