A woman working on her Master’s degree in Journalism asked me yesterday why I want a green burial. Environmentally friendly burial or what we used to just call burial has become so much a part of my view on death. The thought of having my children embalm or cremate me is so repugnant to me. I know too much. I know too much about the processes of embalming and cremation to really feel at ease with them. I know many do. I remember when my husband first made me promise that I would not embalm him and how funny I found that request. Everybody does it! Why shouldn’t he? I know now why. The fact of the matter is green burial suits my outlook. I want the earth to receive my body and let nature take its course. I do not want an expensive burial. I want my people to gather, tell stories and to pray. No need for elaborate preparation of the body. I do not want my body drained of blood and replaced with poison. For what purpose? So that the body can be preserved for a few extra days? No thank you. Please just clean and anoint my body and place it in a shroud or coffin and later the grave after the appropriate liturgical services.
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