More people are choosing to live their lives in an eco-conscious way than ever before. With everything that is happening with the climate all over the planet, it’s not hard to understand why. This can affect all aspects of life, including how someone’s remains are handled after their passing. Cremation services near Evanston, IL, have a much lower environmental impact than a traditional burial has, and that’s why many people are looking to cremation rather than burial. 

Traditional burials often include embalming, which eventually releases harmful chemicals into the earth. Burial also requires a plot of land, and caskets contain many materials which will not break down or biodegrade over time. Cremation, on the other hand, does not require any of these chemicals, caskets, or plots of land. You receive your loved one’s cremains in the form of ashes, which can be handled in many ways. Interring them at a cemetery takes up much less space than a full burial. You may also store the remains in a container that stays inside your home. Scattering ashes is another option with cremation, and it allows you to return your loved one’s remains to a beloved place, without disrupting the earth.   

There are many green options when it comes to urns and scattering, as well. Handmade, 100% biodegradable paper urns may be buried or released into deep water. They will dissolve and completely break down, leaving no trace of chemicals or materials in the earth or sea. These are a beautiful and meaningful option for people who want to make as little of an impact on their environment as possible, while returning their remains to nature. There are a multitude of different options when it comes to styles, shapes, and biodegradable materials for these urns. A unique example would be a Himalayan salt urn, which will sink into deep water and dissolve completely in a matter of hours.   

If you want to create a memorial to your loved one that can be enjoyed for many years to come without using permanent or harmful materials, it’s possible to order memorial saplings to plant. These will grow into a tree that will provide generations with a living memorial to your loved one. You can even give out “Blooming Ornaments”, which are made from recycled paper and are embedded with seeds. These can be planted by family and friends, allowing them to have a growing and living reminder of their dearly departed.   

These are just some of the ways that cremation services near Evanston, IL, are a greener option. Besides the inherently environmental advantages of not requiring harmful chemicals or a plot of land, cremation allows for much more eco-conscious methods of memorialization. At Chicagoland Cremation Options, we can go over all the different ways of remembering your loved one, and help you come up with a meaningful way to return them to earth or water. Give us a call anytime, and we will ensure that your loved one’s wishes are fulfilled, while giving your family and friends respect and care during your time of need.