Water Burials: A Greener Burial
When a loved one passes, it can be a big decision deciding what sort of funeral you would like them to have. It’s important to consider what they were like as a person and what was important to them. It might be that you had time to speak to them prior to their passing about what they would like, but if this is not the case, it’s down to you and those around you who knew them, to think about what’s best. If your loved one was eco-conscious, one of the best ideas is to consider a water burial. This is one of the most sustainable ways to send off someone’s ashes and can offer the chance for a beautiful ceremony too.
What is a water burial?
A water burial is when the ashes of someone are scattered out at sea. It is a beautiful and eco-friendly way of sending off your loved one. In the past, these sorts of cremations used to be scattering cremated ashes, but a popular choice is to now use a biodegradable urn such as The Living Urn's Eco Water™ urn. This beautiful patent-pending water urn is completely degradable and doesn’t leave any harmful substances behind.
Once the urn is placed into the body of water, it floats upright so the top portion is easily visible before the bottom portion that is submerged in water will dissolve. This will then release the ashes. Some families like to write messages or decorate the urn with flowers to add a personal touch. The urns all come in a handmade bamboo case that is both friendly to the environment and also provides strong protection when transporting the ashes to the place where you will be scattering them.
Why opt for a water burial?
There are many reasons to opt for a water burial and it is down to you to decide if it is the right choice for you and your loved one.
It is more sustainable
One reason more people are opting for a water burial is that it is better for the environment. It leaves behind no harmful substances and is 100% natural and biodegradable. The actual construction of the urn is also eco-friendly as it is only made from recycled plant materials and cellulose, with no glue or binding agents that can be harmful. The bamboo casing is also a very sustainable resource and is one of the most environmentally friendly materials that you can find.
You don’t need to spread the ashes right away
The bamboo casing only becomes biodegradable once it is placed in water and is a sturdy material to hold the ashes. Because of this, you can keep it in your home such as on your mantelpiece until you are ready to hold a ceremony to release the ashes in water. This can be useful if you are waiting for the weather to turn warmer, or if you want to have them in your home for a little bit longer. You can also keep the urn once you have released the ashes and you could even choose to get it engraved with your loved ones name or a message about them.
It’s the perfect way to celebrate someone if they loved the water
If your loved one really enjoyed sailing, being on cruise ships or living by the sea, this can be a nice way to commemorate them. You could get everyone together to release the urn, holding a ceremony to remember and tell stories about the one who has passed. If they loved the water, this can feel like a fitting way to see them off.
A water burial is a beautiful way to send off your loved one and get together to remember them and their life. It is a sustainable option and also very peaceful and dignified. To find out more about our Water Urn, take a look at our website or give us a call.