Cremation is the most popular choice for memorializing a deceased loved one, but Spanaway, WA cremation services are changing as people become more environmentally conscious. Green cremation and memorials are evolving by the day, and several popular trends are catching on among those planning memorial services. Here are some unique options we offer at Weeks’ Dryer Mortuary for those looking for greener cremation services.

What Is Aquamation?

Traditional cremation, which uses a powerful oven named a cremator to quickly break down a body and leave nothing but bone ash, is effective but has a high carbon footprint. Aquamation, or aqua-cremation, is an alternative with the same effect but minimal environmental impact. It uses an alkaline solution to break down the body’s tissues and speed up the natural process of decay, resulting in the same remains without the burning.

Aquamation takes longer than traditional cremation, but a normal-sized human body can be cremated using an alkaline solution in around eight hours.

Biodegradable Urns

One of the most dramatic choices for honoring your loved one in a green way is a biodegradable urn, which transforms cremation ashes into a different form of life. The sturdy urn is made from entirely biodegradable materials and is designed to be buried. Once planted, the urn slowly breaks down and releases the tree seeds within, which grow into a tree that serves as a long-term living memorial for your loved one.

Ocean Burial

Scattering cremation ashes is a common choice for a final memorial for those who don’t want to keep the ashes around the house, but there’s a way to do that and boost the environment. Coral Balls are a product that serves as a holder for cremation ashes and are built in a way that cultivates sea life. Coral and other stationary life forms attach to the ball and it becomes their habitat, and the balls have an ID tag that makes it easy to locate where they are in the ocean.

Sustainable Vaults

Many people choose interment to follow cremation, where the ashes are placed in a permanent vessel similar to a coffin and buried. This is common for people who want to keep a family together in eternity and one person has chosen cremation. While traditional cremation vaults are made from wood, many manufacturers are taking the environment into account and using sustainably logged or recycled wood for a minimal impact on the environment.

Green Cremation Products

Many manufacturers are taking environmental sustainability into account when designing products for cremation, especially the urns that are the most common storage space for cremation ashes. Instead of the mass-produced plastic that was common, many urns today are made locally from small-batch manufacturers and often from artisans using traditional equipment instead of mass production.

Are you looking for green cremation services in Spanaway, WA to celebrate your loved one in a sustainable way? Weeks’ Dryer Mortuary can help, so set up a consultation with our experienced funeral home staff today.