Archive Website of the UK government

Greener cremations

Over 70 per cent of people who die in Britain are cremated. You can help a cremation be kinder to the environment by:

• using clothing made from natural fibres, which give off fewer emissions than man-made fabrics
  
• not having shoes, plastic or metal in the coffin
  
• choosing a coffin with care (see ‘Greener coffins’ below)
  
• thinking about using a natural fibre shroud instead of a coffin – some crematoria will allow this if there isn’t a risk to health and safety
  

Disposing of ashes

Avoid scattering ashes on mountain tops, where they can affect plant life

Some people like to scatter ashes in places that have special meaning. You can still do this whilst helping to protect the environment:

• if you’re scattering ashes over land, avoid mountain tops, where ashes can affect plant life
  
• scattering ashes over water has little impact on water quality but there are Environment Agency guidelines you should follow – see the link below
  
• personal items and wreaths could contain plastic and metal parts which can harm wildlife – try not to put these in the water or leave them at the waterside where they could fall into the water
  
• if you’re burying ashes, think about using a biodegradable container that will break down naturally
  

• Download Environment Agency advice on spreading ashes (PDF, 246K)

• Help with PDF files

Greener traditional burials

If you want to reduce the environmental impact of a burial, you could think about:

• asking your funeral director - if you're using one - for advice on making the funeral greener
  
• using home-grown or local flowers to decorate the coffin and graveside
• avoiding plastic items which won’t biodegrade
  
• choosing a coffin carefully (see ‘Greener coffins’ below)
  

Greener coffins

Look for coffins made from a sustainable source

If you want to be greener when choosing a coffin for burial or cremation, you could consider:

• looking for coffins made from a sustainable source – labels from organisations like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC) can tell you this
  
• trying to avoid non-biodegradable materials like plastics and metals, as well as toxic paints and varnishes; all can create emissions during cremation
  
• making sure a cardboard coffin, if you choose one, is made from recycled materials

Embalming and the environment

Some people choose to use embalming (also called ‘hygienic treatment’) to preserve the body. Embalming uses chemicals, some of which - like formaldehyde - are toxic. Things you might like to consider include:

• some funeral homes offer an alternative to embalming by refrigerating the body
  
• embalming isn’t a legal requirement in the UK

Worthing Council website has advice on organising a funeral, including further information on embalming.

• Worthing Council funeral advice Opens new window

Natural or woodland burials

A natural burial takes place in a green field or woodland burial site. People are buried, without being embalmed, in coffins made of biodegradable materials like untreated wood, wicker, bamboo or cardboard. Cotton or woollen shrouds are sometimes used instead of coffins.

Instead of a headstone, the grave can sometimes be marked by a small stone or wooden plaque on the ground. You can sometimes plant a tree over the grave or nearby.

• Find a natural burial ground Opens new window

• Natural burials advice from the Natural Death Centre Opens new window

Travelling to and from a funeral

Hiring a communal vehicle and organising a central collection point means people can travel together to the funeral or wake. Being in a group can give people comfort and extend the time they can spend together. It can also cut down on the number of cars being driven and therefore reduce the environmental impact.

Planning your own greener funeral

Planning ahead gives you time to research all the options for having a greener funeral. Think about giving written copies of your preferences to family members and your lawyer instead of stating your wishes in your will. A will is often not read until after the funeral.

As well as the ideas in this article, you could think about:

• asking people to make a donation to charity instead of buying flowers
  
• having a tree planted as a memorial
  

• Plant a tree with the Woodland Trust Opens new window

The wider issue

Cremation and burial both use resources and energy. Coffins are manufactured and shipped, sometimes across long distances, and can be made with wood from unsustainable sources. Cremation is energy-intensive and can lead to pollutants entering the atmosphere.

More useful links

• Death and bereavement (government, citizens and rights section)

• Organ donation (government, citizens and rights section)

• If I should die - practical advice Opens new window

Useful contacts

• Environment and Greener Living contacts