| Eco-friendly
burials at Catholic cemetery
By Catholic News Service
MAHWAH, N.J. (CNS) — Maryrest Cemetery, one of
the 10 Catholic cemeteries owned by the Newark Archdiocese, has a new
section dedicated to natural burials and green funerals.
It’s believed to be one of the first Catholic cemeteries to reserve
grounds for eco-friendly burials.
The cemetery will accept the deceased wrapped in a shroud or a sustainable,
biodegradable casket. If embalming is needed for ceremonial purposes,
it must be formulated with a nontoxic, formaldehyde-free solution. Graves
will be marked with native stone.
The site will be finished before summer with landscaping that includes
native shrubs, grasses and wildflowers. In keeping with green burial practices,
there will be no concrete vaults or manufactured headstones.
The option to consider a natural burial and green funeral is a consumer-driven
choice, said, Robert Prout, a national speaker on natural burials practices,
which includes the use of biodegradable caskets.
Andrew P. Schafer, executive director of the Newark Archdiocese’s
cemeteries, said the green burial site was developed in response to consumer
requests and is part of a multiyear, multimillion dollar renovation and
expansion of Maryrest.
back
to top
home
|
