Funeral planning may seem difficult enough without having to worry about its environmental impacts. But if you lived a green lifestyle, wouldn't you want to leave this world in the same caring manner that you lived in it?
Formaldehyde is toxic and a carcinogen, which is released into the air through cremation or seeps into the ground after burial.
Green options include biodegradable caskets such as pine wood boxes, or even better either heavy cardboard or a shroud. Cremations are cleaner if cardboard is used rather than standard chipboard and plastic mass produced coffins.
Check out The Centre for Natural Burial to find a green cemetery in your area.
Both have their impacts, and there is no clear consensus. A natural burial that does not use up land may be the best choice.