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When planning a funeral, you’ve got more choices than ever. No longer do you have to buy an expensive coffin and gravesite. Even if you decide to put a body in the ground, there now are options in many areas of the country. One of the most important decisions you may face is whether to choose a green burial vs. traditional burial in Brooklyn.
Both options are meaningful, but the experience and process differ. Green burial vs. traditional burial in Brooklyn vary in cost, environmental impact and personal values. Fortunately, there’s a funeral home in Brooklyn New York that can guide you through the options. Harmony Funeral Home has good working relationships with a number of green cemeteries in Brooklyn.
What Is a Green Burial?
A green burial supports a gentle return to the earth using biodegradable materials and simple practices. Some people live their whole lives trying to tread lightly on the earth and they want their final goodbye to reflect that same respect for nature. That’s where green burial comes in. Key features of a green burial include:
- No embalming fluids or harsh chemicals
- Use of biodegradable caskets or burial shrouds
- No concrete grave liners or metal vaults
- Return to the earth with minimal environmental disruption
- Often located in designated green cemeteries or natural burial grounds
Green burials are a gentler option. You skip the chemicals, use a biodegradable casket or simple cloth shroud, and let the body return to the earth naturally. This approach lowers emissions, lets the body return naturally to the earth and helps preserve green space.
Another common approach in green burial vs. traditional burial in Brooklyn is that people include their dead pets either nearby or in the same gravesite. A beloved and other family members can be buried in a family plot just like in traditional cemeteries.
Green burial also blends well with Muslim and Jewish traditions which already favor simplicity and natural preparation. Whether you’re planning ahead or facing an immediate need, our burial services team guides your choices with compassion.
What Does a Traditional Burial Involve?
Traditional burials use embalming chemicals, metal or hardwood caskets and concrete vaults. These take years to break down and use a lot of resources. But there’s a certain comfort in sticking with tradition, especially when everything feels a bit upside down. A traditional funeral includes coordinated steps handled with care. Key elements of a traditional burial include:
- Embalming to keep the body preserved for viewing
- Choosing a casket that fits your style or faith
- Using a vault to protect the casket underground
- Handling the cemetery plot, headstone and schedule
- Planning a service that reflects your culture or beliefs
Families often choose traditional burials when they want a structured service that honors generations of Brooklyn burial traditions. Our Brooklyn funeral home coordinates all these aspects and handles everything from transportation to cemetery paperwork, so you can focus on what matters most.
Are Both Options Legally Accepted in New York?
When you’re considering green burial vs. traditional burial in Brooklyn, the good news is both are legally allowed across New York, including neighborhoods like Canarsie and Marine Park. Several cemeteries in and around Brooklyn now support eco-friendly burial methods. Key legal and cemetery considerations include:
- Biodegradable caskets are totally allowed.
- Green burial is legal, but not every cemetery allows it.
- Traditional burials are accepted everywhere.
- Some cemeteries mix both options.
- Vaults aren’t required, just common for traditional burials.
- Religious cemeteries may already follow green customs.
Your burial choice also directly affects how much everything costs. Traditional burials involve more steps like viewings and formal services, which raise the overall cost. Green burial takes a simpler, more natural approach with shorter, less formal services. Factors that influence the overall cost of a burial include:
- Embalming, used in traditional burials, not in green ones
- Traditional wood or metal caskets vs biodegradable green ones
- Vaults, common in traditional cemeteries
- Headstones and markers, which also are more minimal in green spaces
Our funeral home in Brooklyn, right here in Flatbush, supports both types with honesty and care. Those seeking affordable services often lean toward green burials for their simplicity and fewer service requirements. Our facilities support both burial types with peaceful space that honors tradition and practicality.
What Kind of Caskets or Burial Containers Are Used?
Traditional caskets are usually made of metal or hardwood. They come with linings, handles and decorative touches. Green burials usually are done with materials that break down naturally and avoid anything that slows decomposition, such as:
- Plain pine boxes without metal or chemicals
- Caskets made from bamboo, seagrass or willow
- Natural fiber shrouds
Additionally, the burial process timeline depends on the type of service you choose. Traditional burials in Brooklyn often involve more preparation, especially if the family plans a full viewing or open-casket service. Green burials usually move forward faster. Since there’s no embalming, fewer steps are required. Factors that affect burial timing include:
- Some religions expect burial within 24 hours.
- Family travel or work may cause delays.
- Availability at funeral homes or cemeteries matters.
- Weather can affect timing.
How Do I Choose Between Green Burial vs. Traditional Burial in Brooklyn?
Picking the right burial isn’t just about the steps, it’s about what feels right for you and your family. It reflects your values and beliefs, and what kind of memory you want to honor. Start by identifying what matters most. Some consider what aligns with their loved one’s final wishes. Factors that shape your decision include:
- Religious or cultural traditions
- Eco-friendly choices like biodegradable materials
- Budget and keeping things simple
- Low-maintenance burial sites
- Cemetery location that feels personal or close to home
Recognized by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) for our service and care, we’re here to support you with experience and compassion. From grief support to pre-payment plans and arranging for a body transfer when necessary, we help make things easier. Contact Harmony Funeral Home to make the right decision for your family with confidence and care.
Harmony Funeral Home
2200 Clarendon Rd.,
Brooklyn, NY 11226
(718) 469-6666