Green Burials growing more popular
By Laura Rillos
EUGENE - Carol McBrian has her cemetery plot picked out. The prime spot in the Eugene Masonic Cemetery has an incredible view of the city skyline and trees. The master gardener couldn’t be more excited
“For several years, my husband and I had been teasing each other. He would say, dear when I die should have me stuffed,” said McBrian. “And I would say dear, when you die, I’m going to have you composted. Then last year I read an article in the Eugene Weekly about green burials and realized we could get ourselves composted.”
Carol and her husband John are among a growing number of people interested in green burials.
Bodies are placed in the ground wrapped in a cloth shroud or a biodegradable coffin, usually made of wood, wicker or even paper.
The idea is to minimize the impact on the environment.
“I’ve received a few phone calls every month,” said Mary Ellen Rodgers, of the Eugene Masonic Cemetery. “From Idaho, Washington, a fellow came up from California to buy a space here so it’s really quite popular.”
While the practice has taken off in recent years, it’s been around much longer than that.
The original inhabitants of the Eugene Masonic Cemetery, like the city’s founder Eugene Skinner, were buried in the same fashion.
“In essence, pioneer funerals were green,” said Rodgers. “They didn’t have a lot of resources, they kept things simple at that time and they sought the serene comfort of nature for a dignified memorial for the dead.”
Another appeal of green burial–it’s fairly inexpensive. The McBrians purchased plain pine boxes for $700 each.
Though Carol is more excited about what she calls “the ultimate in recycling.”
“In fact, I’ve picked out what I’m going to have said on my grave marker. It’s going to be still composting.”
Eugene’s Mulkey Cemetery also allows green burials. If you’re interested in a green burial in another area, contact the local historical society. They can point you to a pioneer cemetery, which typically allow green burials.