You might think of a green burial
Whitehorse Star
A recent letter to the editor (Whitehorse Star, Sept. 22) commented on burial costs.
Specifically, it questioned the cost, and the need, of a protective plastic box that is placed around coffins. This prevents the ground from subsiding as the coffin and its contents decay.
The City of Whitehorse would do well to consider providing woodland burial or green burial options to residents.
With a green burial, the body is placed in the ground in an easily-biodegradable coffin.
Local trees or shrubs are planted over the grave site. This is instead of placing conventional tombstones or markers.
The trees and shrubs also ensure that any ground subsidence is covered by their growth. This prevents individuals from walking in the collapsed ground area, thus protecting them from twisted ankles and the like..
A green burial is an opportunity to enrich the land with our passing. It does not entail consuming yet more resources just to ensure the surface of our final resting place remains artificially level.
Lewis Rifkind,
Whitehorse