The Rise of Green Funeral Options: Exploring Environmentally Friendly Burial Practices in 2025

Funerals have long been centered around traditional practices that often use toxic chemicals and nonbiodegradable materials. In 2025, people are seeking more meaningful, environmentally respectful ways to honor life. Discover what green burial is and some practices for laying someone to rest in a more ecologically responsible way. What Is a Green Burial? A green or natural burial is an eco-friendly burial process that doesn’t use chemicals or concrete. It involves laying someone to rest through natural decomposition. Many people prefer green funerals for various reasons. First, the cost averages between $2,500 and $5,500, making it cheaper than traditional methods. Avoiding harmful chemicals and using biodegradable containers are also kinder to the environment. What Traditional Burial Factors Harm the Environment? Green burials are about minimizing your ecological footprint even after passing. Traditional burials often involve processes that, while culturally ingrained, can harm the planet. These include: Embalming fluids: Chemical embalming involves formaldehyde, a toxic and carcinogenic compound that can contaminate soil and groundwater. Around one gallon of embalming fluid is used per 50 pounds for preservation. Nonbiodegradable casket: Heavy wooden caskets often contain metal, plastic fillings and chemicals. Imagine how much of these harmful materials are buried every year. Land use: Traditional cemeteries require maintenance, often involving fertilizers, pesticides and water usage. Carbon emissions: Manufacturing and transportation of funeral materials and the energy used during cremation can contribute to carbon emissions. Why Green Funerals Matter Funerals don’t have to harm the environment. People should consider green burials, which offer the following benefits. Protect the Environment Traditional funerals use harmful materials and chemicals, while cemeteries consume large amounts of land. Choosing a green funeral helps create a safer environment for future generations. This entails using sustainable elements like wicker and bamboo, a natural resource known for rapid growth and renewability. Avoiding metal embellishments and lacquer minimizes harmful environmental impact.  Align With Sustainable Values Many people follow sustainable values to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. Traditional flame cremation, while common, is an energy-intensive process that releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In contrast, a green funeral is a meaningful tribute that aligns with eco-friendly practices. This final act reinforces a commitment to sustainability and leaves a positive legacy. Support Personal Health Avoiding toxic chemicals like formaldehyde means less risk for funeral workers. These professionals come in contact with harmful compounds daily, making them susceptible to headaches, eye irritation and lower respiratory problems. As long as formaldehyde is used for preservation, their careers can harm their personal health in the long run. Opting for a greener alternative means advocating for a healthier working environment for funeral staff. 5 Environmentally Friendly Funeral Practices More and more funeral businesses are adopting eco-friendly methods. Here are some options to consider for a loved one or yourself when the time comes. Natural Burial Grounds Natural burial grounds feature woodlands, meadows or other landscapes. They prioritize biodegradable materials and avoid embalming chemicals to support the growth and diversity of surrounding flora and fauna. A service usually includes traditional practices, such as religious readings, floral arrangements, memorial tables, eulogies and music. You can also choose a memorial feature to honor your loved one, like a remembrance tree, slate stone or native planting. Conservation Burial A conservation burial happens in a protected area, usually a nature preserve. It aims to support restoring or protecting natural habitats while providing a sustainable final resting place. This funeral practice often includes a donation or fee that supports ongoing environmental stewardship. Like natural burial grounds, this option helps preserve wildlife habitats. Invasive species are usually removed to help native species thrive in the area. Aquamation Also known as alkaline hydrolysis, this is a sustainable alternative to fire cremation. It involves alkaline chemicals like potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, heat, water, and sometimes agitation and pressure to accelerate natural decomposition. The compound breaks the body’s chemical bonds, converting them to bone fragments and sterile liquid called effluent. It’s often described as a more respectful method, resembling how nature would quietly reclaim the body over time. Biodegradable Caskets and Urns Using containers that break down naturally in the soil is an intentional decision that rejects the use of resource-intensive materials in conventional products. Biodegradable caskets and urns are made from natural materials like wicker, bamboo, cardboard and seagrass. Terramation Terramation, also known as human composting or natural organic reduction, is a sustainable end-of-life choice that involves placing the remains in a vessel with natural materials like alfalfa and sawdust. Over the following weeks, the body transforms into fertile soil. This process turns the body into a life-giving resource, moving beyond simply reducing environmental harm to create something beneficial for the planet. It’s a profound, final act of stewardship. Support an Eco-Friendly Ending The rising popularity of green burial options proves that saying goodbye can be a way of giving back. These sustainable practices offer a dignified way to complete life’s natural cycle. Explore the options and start a conversation with your loved ones today.

If climate change news makes you tremble, taking action is calmative. You don’t need to own property you can convert to solar — small acts can make a difference. How can you improve your ecological savvy and reduce your carbon footprint this year? Here are ten sustainable lifestyle changes to make in 2024 for a healthier planet.  1. Ditch the Straw It’s an automatic reflex these days. You go through the drive-thru and expect a straw in your bag and think nothing of stripping the wrapper off one when stopping for a convenience-store pop.  People in the United States alone use up to 500 million straws every single day. Many of these don’t belong in standard recycling, nor can biological means like bacteria break them down — they stay in the environment nearly forever.  The solution? Invest in a reusable model. Many of these clip to your keychain, meaning you always have one handy when the siren song of french fries proves too much to resist on the way home from work. Some even contain a handy cleaning brush right inside the collapsable model that keeps things hygienic.  2. Bring a Bag Reusable bags stand head and shoulders above single-use versions. They don’t break, spilling your expensive eggs all over the sidewalk. They’re handy for scores of uses, from schlepping your gym clothes in from your car for a fresh shower and change, hauling laundry to the mat or, of course, safely transporting your groceries home.  Is it hard to create the habit? Not necessarily. Some people find the torture of forcing themselves to walk back to their car through the snow to retrieve forgotten bags the right stimulus to stir their memory next time. Others take a more gentle approach, putting their wallet or purse with their bags as they enter the car, linking the habits to make remembering reusables easier to remember.  However, if you are a member of the “Darn it, I left my bag in my car and don’t want to walk back,” set, take heart. You can find reusable bags that fold up and clip to your keychain, meaning that you have no more excuses for requesting plastic at the register.  3. Use Pedal Power If your nearest store is less than half a mile away, why drive when you can walk? If you mentioned the time factor, you aren’t alone. Today’s hectic schedules sometimes leave little room for making sustainable, if slower, choices.  However, you can slash your travel time with a bike while reducing your carbon footprint and getting exercise. You can even find electric models that produce a fraction of a car’s emissions and help power you up steep hills. Sometimes, commuting this way can be faster than by car when traffic piles up and you zip by in the right lane with a wave and a smile.  4. Investigate Walk Scores Are you looking for a new pad? Pay attention to your location’s walk score.  Perhaps surprisingly, urban locations often have better scores than more rural ones. Don’t automatically rule out city life — you could find, like many New Yorkers, that you don’t need a vehicle or the pesky emissions associated with it at all.  5. Add a Plant  Way back in the 1980s, NASA did a study to see how they could produce a breathable atmosphere on Mars. They discovered that the humble house plant could clean toxins like toluene from the air, albeit not as effectively as air purifiers. However, each new plant produces oxygen. A new ficus is an approved impulse buy when you want to make sustainable lifestyle changes. 6. Eat Locally Are you friends with the vendors at your farmer’s market? While grocery goods may travel thousands of miles — and produce tons of emissions during transport — these products come from close to home. You’ll reduce your emissions and feel better about serving your family fruits and veggies that you know are fresh and organic.  Farm-to-table restaurants have increased in popularity, and visiting one of these with your BFFs can be among the most sustainable lifestyle changes you can make in 2025. Many such establishments grow their fruits and vegetables onsite, and those that serve meat may raise livestock as well. These minimize transport, and increase accountability and transparency — you can’t fib about your practices when customers can observe them in action at your location.  7. Join a Crew Volunteering isn’t only a way to pad your resume if you have been out of work for a while. You can find neighborhood and highway cleanup crews seeking help nearly anywhere in America. You’ll meet new friends, stimulate feel-good neurotransmitter production and get a little exercise while making a sustainable lifestyle change.  8. Adjust Your Fans and Curtains If you run your HVAC system all the time, you go through tons of fuel. Why not save money on your utility bills while sustainably controlling your climate? Turn them counterclockwise in the summer to circulate air and reverse the direction in winter to pull warmer air up from baseboard registers.  Furthermore, make use of passive solar heating. Blackout curtains can preserve interior heat, especially on thin rental windows, during nighttime hours. However, tie them back during the day when the sun strikes them to take advantage of the free solar heat.  9. Add a Recycle Bag to Your Ride If you upped your road-trip quotient over the past months, you aren’t alone. Travel restrictions had more people shunning airports and turning to their rides for recreation. However, all that fun produces tons of waste, much of which you can recycle.  However, you probably noticed that not too many fast food joints, convenience stores or gas stations provide recycling bins. What can you do with all those empty pop cans? When selecting a garbage disposal system for your car, pick one with a separate section for reusable materials that you can sort in the correct bins when you arrive home.  10. Get Smart Adding a smart home device or two costs a fraction of the amount of a solar conversion. However, it can save you big time on your heating and cooling while slashing your carbon footprint.  Start with a smart thermostat. According to the Department of Energy, you can save up to 10% on your utility bill by adjusting that dial by seven to ten degrees during the eight hours you leave the house to work. Doing so is a snap with a smart thermostat that links to your phone. Even if you forget to program the hours, you can turn on eco mode from anywhere, instantly saving electricity and reducing your reliance on fossil fuels.  Make These 9 Sustainable Lifestyle Changes Protecting planet earth is everyone’s responsibility. Please consider making these nine sustainable lifestyle changes in 2023.  Originally published July 12, 2021. Updated December 23, 2024.

Thanksgiving is not just all about pumpkin pies, mashed potatoes and turkeys. It’s also about carving out time for exciting activities. Whether you’re celebrating alone, with family, significant other or friends, there’s something for everyone. Here are Thanksgiving fun activities to enjoy, no matter how you intend to celebrate the holiday. 3 Tips for Celebrating Thanksgiving Alone Being alone can be a respite for some, but it can get lonely when you have no choice but to spend the holidays with your loved ones. Fortunately, there are ways you can celebrate even if you’re alone. 1. Try Gratitude Journaling Thanksgiving is the ideal time to reflect and practice gratitude. It can be a powerful mindfulness practice, allowing you to engage more deeply with your internal experiences. If you’re not the writing type, use digital apps like Notion, Diarium or Day One. Here are some prompts to get you started: What’s one thing you often take for granted? What are the three most important things you’re thankful for? What made you smile today? What’s a happy memory from your childhood? What qualities do you like about yourself? Write a gratitude letter to someone special. What brings you joy? 2. Cook Your Favorite Dish One of the best Thanksgiving fun activities you can give yourself is nourishing your body. Take this opportunity to recreate your mom or grandmother’s Thanksgiving dish. If you don’t know how to make it, hop on a call with your distant family — catch up, play online games and ask for the recipe. Let your loved ones watch you cook, too.  3. Entertain Your Inner Child Thanksgiving is typically associated with fun times. This isn’t the reality for many, especially for individuals who come from a dysfunctional family or have unpleasant childhood memories. Take this opportunity to make your inner child happy.  Start by listing what you loved doing as a kid — do you love watching movies? Perhaps you want to rewatch Mean Girls or The Princess Diaries. Did you enjoy scrapbooking in your free time? Did reading fictional books make you alive? Do these activities and experience the joy that comes with it. 3 Thanksgiving Fun Activities to Do With Family Here are some exciting activities aside from cooking and eating your favorite holiday meals. 1. Play a Board Game Gather everyone around the table and play exciting board games. With so many options, choosing which ones will appeal to everyone can be challenging. Luckily, The New York Times rounded up the best board games that kids and adults will both enjoy. Here are some must-tries: Wavelength: Ideal for ages five and up, Wavelength focuses on communicating ideas by association. Where — on the scale of round to sharp — is the pygmy hippo Moo Deng? How beautiful or ugly is it to end a day with a full-body massage? These are some of the potential discussions that this game can spark. Mysterium: This card encourages you to work together to solve a murder case. It requires one person — a ghost — to tell the murder story via vision cards. The remaining players — or psychics — are tasked to solve the case. This is ideal for ages 10 and up. Monopoly: Everyone loves a classic board game, and you cannot go wrong with Monopoly. 2. Enjoy a Nature Walk A nature walk with your family allows everyone to appreciate nature together. A change of scenery offers relief, providing a much-needed mental reset. A 30-minute walk can help improve your heart health, boost your immune system and decrease your risk of certain chronic diseases. Moreover, it can help improve everyone’s mood, making it ideal just before the dinner feast.  3. Host a Pie-Baking Contest If your kids are competitive like you, consider hosting a pie-baking contest. It adds fun to your usual cooking preparation, as all your family members are involved. You can team up as a couple, or have one parent to pair with a child. Have the whole family vote for their favorite during dinnertime. Don’t forget to prepare a thoughtful gift for the winner to motivate everyone to do their best. 3 Activities to Do With Your Significant Other With so many things going on this holiday season, sometimes all you need is downtime with your partner. Here are some amazing activities you can do together: 1. Prepare an Intimate Dinner at Home When was the last time you and your partner prepared a meal together? Rather than ordering takeout, take this time to create a dish from scratch, may it be pumpkin pie or turkey. Add thoughtful, romantic touches, such as your favorite linens and dinnerware. You can also engage in an at-home paint-and-sip event to make the holiday more memorable. 2. See a Movie Watch a movie at the theater, just like in the old days. Many holiday films are released over Thanksgiving, making it an ideal time to catch a new movie with your partner. After the movie, continue your date with a stop for drinks to discuss your favorite scenes in the film. 3. Run a Turkey Trot A turkey trot is a fun way to bond and get healthy with your loved one. Run a 5K or 10K race to boost your mood and appetite for the feast. Many races give out turkeys as prizes, so keep your eye on that, especially if you and your significant other have no plans to make your own turkey at home! 3 Tips for Spending Thanksgiving With Friends These tips are for when you’re away from home but have nearby pals to celebrate with. 1. Volunteer Thanksgiving celebrates the spirit of giving back. Check if there are events in your local community and sign up. Alternatively, you and your squad can initiate a program. You can create care packages for people in shelters or cook meals for homeless people. 2. Play a Gratitude Game Pick-up Sticks is a well-loved childhood game. Why not play it with your friends, but with a twist? Each time you pick up a stick, you must name something you’re thankful for according to the stick’s color. For example, you can assign red to a person, yellow to a place, and green to experience. 3. Have a Potluck Party A simple, potluck party allows everyone to showcase the dish they’re most proud of. You can add a twist to this party. For instance, ask everyone to bring a food that starts with their first name. Ensure there’s a variety of options for a fun-filled celebration. Enjoy Thanksgiving With These Fun Activities Your Thanksgiving deserves to be celebrated in the most fun way possible. Incorporate these ideas into your day to make the most out of it.

Homeowners believe their house is a safe space with clean air since it’s sheltered from outdoor pollution sources, but many indoor contaminants linger. Plus, some known air purification products can cause more harm than good. Learn how to naturally purify the air in your house and achieve a healthier atmosphere. Why You Have to Improve Indoor Air Naturally Air fresheners may make the room smell like peppermint or vanilla, but they’re not exactly clean. Nearly 90% of these products contain hazardous chemicals that pollute the air. Even those marketed to be all-natural cause migraines and asthma attacks. Additional pollutants will only contribute to poorer indoor air quality. After all, there could already be hundreds of individual volatile organic compounds, carbon dioxide and other toxic vapors in your interior environment. Thus, it’s important to explore DIY air purification solutions. How to Purify the Air in Your House You need to utilize methods that will both prevent pollutants and cleanse your existing indoor air. Here are some DIY solutions to purify the air in your house. 1. Open the Windows One of the most affordable and simple ways to improve indoor air quality is to open the windows. Doing so ventilates your home, introducing fresh air from the outdoors. It also provides an exit for harmful volatile organic compounds and alleviates dryness. Dust particles usually linger inside, but removing them by opening your windows lessens your chances of getting sick in the long run. You also receive vitamin D from those extra rays of sunshine, boosting your immune system. 2. Get a Salt Lamp Some people claim Himalayan salt lamps are a great way to improve air quality, as they produce negative ions that refresh the air. While there are limited studies to confirm its credibility, many people share such an experience when using them in their homes. Granted, an authentic Himalayan salt lamp is difficult to find since it comes from mountain ranges like Pakistan’s Khewra Salt Mine. Skip the fake products and invest in those instead for the best results.  3. Use Essential Oil Diffusers Essential oils are a great alternative to air fresheners and even incense. They can improve indoor humidity while providing fragrance. Their destressing properties can also relieve anxiety and help you focus on mindfulness. Avoid direct exposure to essential oils, as they can irritate the skin and eyes. A diffuser is an ideal tool for diluting them and creating a mist — just make sure it disperses evenly. 4. Vacuum and Clean Vacuuming and cleaning do wonders for purifying indoor air, as they eliminate pollutants lingering in the air. Make sure to do these routines regularly to cleanse your space of dust. Certain cleaning products may contain chemicals that worsen indoor air quality, so it’s worth creating your own concoctions. For example, vinegar and water are potent solutions for stains and grease. Add your favorite essential oils to mask the scent. 5. Clean Your HVAC System Unbeknownst to many homeowners, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system can also be a great air purification asset. Air conditioners specifically pull air from the outdoors and filter it to ensure good-quality, cool air. Backed-up AC filters will affect the air quality you get from the outdoors, distributing pollutants across different rooms. Take them out and wash them according to the instructions on the packaging. You can also inspect and replace them when necessary. 6. Add Indoor Plants Indoor plants are much more than natural home decor. Certain ones remove formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and other nasty pollutants to make your indoor air quality better. The process is much slower, but taking care of the greenery over time can be beneficial for your household. Choosing what indoor plants to purify your home environment with is tricky. If you have a green thumb, try to keep orchids, camellias, Boston ferns and gardenias. You could also pick low-maintenance options like snake plants and the ZZ plant. These thrive even without constant sunshine and watering. 7. Get Rid of Mold If there’s a musty odor or wall warps, there’s a high chance it’s affecting your interior atmosphere. Mold can eventually start to affect your health, with some people coughing, sneezing and getting rashes upon inhaling the spores. There are at-home solutions for removing mold, such as mixing a cup of bleach with four cups of water. Even diluting it, the solution is potent enough to scrub it off. However, for larger mold growth, it’s better to call a removal professional. Limit your exposure until it’s out of the space. DIY Good Indoor Air Quality Figuring out how to purify the air in your house naturally can improve and maintain the quality of your indoor atmosphere. This space should accommodate its occupants and visitors, and these DIY solutions are the key.

Every mom deserves some time to herself — a chance to unwind, explore new interests and recharge. Finding affordable hobbies for moms can seem challenging, especially when you're juggling family responsibilities and sticking to a budget. But don't worry, there are plenty of fun, cost-effective, and enriching activities that can boost your health and wellness. Explore these nine hobbies that fit seamlessly into a busy mom's life. DIY Crafts: Unleashing Creativity Crafting can be a budget-friendly and fulfilling hobby. Use items you already have around the house — like old clothes, buttons and jars — to create something new. Websites like Pinterest offer countless ideas and tutorials for DIY crafts. Try making homemade candles, knitting or scrapbooking. These activities provide a creative outlet, resulting in personalized items you can use or gift. If you want, you can involve your kids in simple projects like making holiday decorations or creating artwork for their rooms. Crafting together can definitely double as a great family bonding activity. Reading: Escaping into New Worlds Reading is one of the simplest and most enriching hobbies for moms or anyone out there, really. It's a perfect way to relax, learn something new or escape into different worlds. Visit your local library for a treasure trove of books, audiobooks and even e-books. Many libraries also offer digital loans so that you can read on your tablet or smartphone. Consider joining a book club — either locally or online — to discuss your latest reads, get excited and motivated to read more and meet new people while you're at it! Websites like Goodreads can help you track your reading and discover new books based on your interests. For a fun twist, you can even start a family reading night where everyone shares their favorite stories. Yoga: Discovering Mind and Body Harmony Yoga is a perfect hobby for moms seeking both physical and mental wellness. Many online platforms offer free or low-cost yoga classes that you can do from the comfort of your own home. Set up a quiet space with a yoga mat or towel, and follow along with video tutorials. Practicing yoga helps reduce stress, increase flexibility and improve overall wellness. It's also an excellent way to take a few moments for yourself amidst a busy day. Consider doing yoga with your kids — there are many child-friendly yoga routines available that make it a fun family activity. Journaling: Reflecting and Planning Journaling is a powerful tool for self-reflection and personal growth. It's a simple and affordable hobby requiring a notebook and a pen. Use your journal to jot down your thoughts, dreams and goals. You can write about your daily experiences, things you're grateful for or plans for the future. Journaling helps clear your mind, organize your thoughts and gain a better perspective. It can also be a creative outlet, allowing you to express yourself freely. If you're looking for inspiration, try prompts like "What made me smile today?" or "What do I hope to achieve this week?" You can also encourage your kids to keep their own journals as a way to practice writing and self-expression. Cooking and Baking: Discovering New Flavors Cooking and baking are practical and enjoyable hobbies for moms. Experiment with new recipes and ingredients to make meals exciting and healthy — websites like Allrecipes and Tasty offer many free recipes and cooking tips. To mix things up, explore dishes from different cultures or try your hand at baking your own bread. Another option is to involve your kids by letting them help with simple tasks like measuring ingredients or decorating cookies. This hobby can turn mealtime into a fun and educational experience, teaching your kids about nutrition and teamwork. Volunteering: Giving Back to the Community Volunteering is a fulfilling way to spend your time, and it doesn't cost a thing! Find local organizations that align with your interests, whether it's helping at a food bank, animal shelter or community garden. Volunteering provides a sense of agency and purpose and allows you to impact your community positively. Plus, it's an awesome way to make new friends and develop new skills. Many organizations offer family-friendly volunteer opportunities. Consider involving your kids in these activities — what better way to teach them about compassion and social responsibility? Walking: Embracing Simple Sights and Fitness Walking is an excellent way to stay fit without any cost. It promotes cardiovascular health and improves mood, sleep, memory and energy levels. Make walking a daily routine by exploring different paths, trails or even your neighborhood. You can use a pedometer or a free app to track your steps and set goals. To make it more fun, create a walking group with friends or fellow moms in your area. This provides motivation, accountability, and a chance to socialize and support other enthusiasts. Walking with your family can also be a delightful way to spend quality time together while staying fit and active. If you want to manage stress better, physical activity is the way to go! Gardening: Cultivating Health and Happiness Gardening is a fantastic hobby for moms who enjoy being outdoors. Aside from offering physical activity, nothing compares to that sense of accomplishment as you watch your plants grow. Start with a small herb garden — herbs like basil, rosemary, mint, thyme and parsley are easy to grow and helpful in your cooking. If space is limited, try container gardening on your balcony or windowsill. Gardening reduces stress and improves mental clarity. Plus, it's a beautiful way to teach your kids about nature and healthy eating. You can involve your little ones by letting them choose plants or helping with watering. This hobby promotes family bonding and gets everyone outside — win-win! Learning: Diving into Free Online Courses Continuing to learn and grow is an excellent hobby for moms. Numerous free online courses are available on platforms like Coursera, Khan Academy and Duolingo. Whether you want to learn a new language, pick up a new skill or dive into a subject that interests you, these courses can be an enriching way to spend your free time productively. Explore courses on topics like photography, writing, coding or nutrition. Learning something new can be incredibly satisfying and can open up new opportunities for personal and professional growth. You can even involve your kids by taking educational courses together, turning learning into a family activity. Not to mention, a mom keen to learn is a superb role model for little ones! Start Your Hobby Journey Today Incorporating hobbies into your life doesn't have to be expensive. With a bit of creativity and resourcefulness, you can find joy in affordable activities that enrich your mind, body and soul. Ready to find a hobby that suits you and your budget? Start small and explore different activities to see what you enjoy the most. Remember, the goal is to relax and have fun, so choose what brings you joy and satisfaction. Embrace these hobbies for moms and make the most of your free time without breaking the bank.