Death is not an easy subject to talk about, but it’s an inevitable final chapter of life. By choosing a natural burial over a conventional burial or cremation, you minimise your environmental impact and depart the world in a way that is aligned with your values.
Natural burial has no set definition or standard in Australia, so the rules and regulations vary from state to state. But across the board, the principles of a natural burial generally centre around one fundamental aim: to return bodies to the earth as naturally as possible.
Burial Without Harsh Chemicals
In conventional funeral practices, embalming is an option given to families, especially when cadaver reconstruction is required, an open-coffin is requested or when burial has been delayed. Embalming is only legally required if an aboveground vault is being used. This process uses a toxic chemical cocktail including formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen. Over time, as bodies decompose, these chemicals can leech into surrounding soil, destroying microbes and potentially contaminating water systems.