Dying

The industry surrounding death and dying is one that is not traditionally 'green'. Each year, US cemetaries bury: * 827,060 gallons of embalming fluid, which includes formaldehyde * 30-plus million board feet of hardwoods (Caskets) * 90,272 tons of steel (Caskets) * 14,000 tons of steel (Vaults) * 2,700 tons of copper and bronze (Caskets) * 1,636,000 tons of reinforced concrete (Vaults) 

While cremation is often thought of as a more environmentally friendly choice, it still uses a high amount of fossil fuels in the cremation process and in addition, a significant amount of mercury is released into the atmosphere due to fillings.

Caskets
Northern Casket - only their 'enviro' casket is a green alternative

In Memorial
Commemorative Tree Program (City of Ottawa)

Natural Burial
A natural burial is one where the body is not embalmed (no chemical preservatives are used), the body is placed in a biodegradable casket (or shroud), and is interred in a 'green space' area such as a forest or meadow. No grave markers are used. Instead trees are often planted over the grave. Natural burial sites include a memorial web site or building where the biographical details of the deceased are stored.

Currently there are no natural burial sites in Canada however the Natural Burial co-operative is hoping to have one in Ontario by the end of 2007.

Resomation
Resomation is a water-based process which reduces the body to 'bone shadows' (bio-ash) by speeding up the natural alkaline hydrolysis reaction.

Currently there are no resomation facilities in the Ottawa-area.