Twice Divorced – By Grayce Goin
Dear Twice Divorced,
Your recent column about living wills reminded me of something I heard about in passing some time ago, but now am very interested in.
Because of the conspicuous consumption era that I spent most of my adult life in, I believe that now I should “go out green.” Does this practice comply with regulations governing morticians? Don’t bodies have to be embalmed? What can you tell me about this subject?
Dying to Know
Dear Curious,
You may be surprised to learn that the practice of embalming came into regular use during the civil war as a way of preserving soldier’s bodies so that they could be returned to their families. The funeral service industry was a direct outgrowth of the need to have professionals who could safely handle the dangerous chemicals used in this practice. And embalming is usually only required when the deceased will be crossing state lines.
Green funerals involve not having a cement vault – either above or below ground – not using old growth trees, metals or plastics of any kind and no embalming. And, in most states,a green funeral does not have to involve a funeral home.
More and more people are returning to the old way of having the service in the home of the deceased or a close family member. In some states this may require the oversight of a licensed funeral director for hygienic reasons.
I have listed below some sites that will provide you the information you would need to make a decision about “going out” this way. I must warn you, that if you are anything like me and have a habit of “linking-on” through a series of sites, there are stories about how people chose to care for their dear departed that are not for the faint of heart. It is not that anyone did anything wrong or ill advised, just that their actions were outside the American mainstream and some might find them disturbing.
http://www.agreenerfuneral.org/
This site acknowledges that there are various levels of “green,” and respects that each individual must choose that which is right for her. The site also contains a wealth of links for green products and services.
http://www.greenburialcouncil.org/
Information concerning the professional standards of the industry – be sure to read if you are at all interested in this subject.
Consumers Funeral Alliance – A wealth of information – I learned here that NY and NJ have the best laws protecting consumers who pre-pay for their final arrangements.
Provides educational services about natural burial to members of the funeral industry, hospice and palliative care associations, faith communities and clergy.
• Pre-Posthumous Society—Dedicated to bringing memorial nature preserves to New York state. E-mail: marywoodsen@nasw.org
Thank you for bring up this issue.
Be Well
Letters can be sent to deartwice@yahoo.com or Catskill.Chronicle@yahoo.com. Be sure to put Twice Divorced in the subject line.
To view all of the cartoons for Twice Divorced or to purchase prints visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.
The Catskill Chronicle 
Leave a Reply