The following is an extremely interesting article in our local daily newspaper, The Dominion Post, Wellington, New Zealand: Dying might seem like the ultimate way to reduce one's carbon footprint, but a new approach to to being buried could breathe life into the environment.
New Zealand's first 'natural' burial took place yesterday( May 3 2008) at the cemetery grounds in Makara.
The body was not embalmed but placed in an untreated wooden casket, then buried to about half the normal depth of a traditional grave. As it iscloser to active soil, the body could decompose within five years - three times faster than normal.
Research by by Natural Burials, a non-profit organisation, suggests that more than one - third of Wellingtonians would consider the burial technique. About 100 people had already registered.
"Many people find the idea of lying in peace in a native forest and contributing to the creation of the forest through the death process process very comforting and satisfying. There's no risk or weirdness to it," founder Mark Blackham said.
It took Mr Blackham about eight years to get from the planning stage to yesterday's burial as the local Wellington City council's officials had been concerned about animals digging up the graves and creating possible health problems.
It is an an idea that may grow in time. There is something peaceful about becoming part of a forest in a 'natural' sense. It could catch on!
Author: Nathan Beaumont, Dompost, Wellington, NZ.
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Contributor's Note
An idea that could grow!
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