Options for eco-friendlier funeral arrangements

17 January 2023

Nowadays, there are many different ways to organize greener funeral services. This way, you’re able to harmonize your environmental values with your desired funeral rituals.

Are you planning a funeral? At Les Sentiers, you’ll receive personalized guidance throughout the entire process, including for choosing the type of funeral and the type of ceremony. Discover our complete funeral services

 

The environmental impact of funeral arrangements

Funeral arrangements can take a heavy environmental toll that is not always easily perceivable.

For instance, if you choose to be buried, the wood used for the casket, be it pine, oak or mahogany, will inevitably be covered with a layer of varnish. And the products used during embalming (e.g., formaldehyde) can also be harmful to the environment. Once buried, these products along with the human remains can contaminate soil and groundwater.

While no solution is perfect, there are options that allow you to make a decision that aligns with your environmental values.

 

How to make greener funeral arrangements?

Those of us who are environmentally conscious might wonder how to reduce the environmental impact of funeral arrangements. 

Whether you’re making your own pre-arrangements or planning a funeral for a loved one, there are a number of things you can do to keep it environmentally friendly and respect the wishes of the deceased.

With a little bit of planning, it’s possible to organize a funeral that is in tune with both the environment and your budget. You’ll have to choose the type of funeral, urn, cemetery and memorial monument.

 

Type of funeral

Making funeral arrangements can be a very trying process.

One difficult decision to be made is the type of funeral. What kind of funeral is most appropriate? How much will it cost? What funeral homes are available? What kind of funeral ritual would be suitable?

Historically speaking, burials are the most common type of ceremony in Quebec. However, other eco-friendlier practices do exist, including standard and water cremation. As these techniques do not involve embalming or caskets, there is no risk of contaminating the soil and groundwater with formaldehyde or harsh chemicals such as varnishes.

Eco-friendly urns and biodegradable urns

There are all kinds of urns on the market, including eco-friendly and biodegradable ones!

Some of the latest models are designed using natural materials such as biodegradable paper, earth, vegetable wax and ashes, which naturally decompose when buried.

Also, some are made using eco-friendly wood. They are free of chemicals, screws or nails, allowing them to decompose without harming the environment.

Type of cemetery

Did you know that greener cemeteries do exist? When choosing a final resting place, it’s only logical to choose a place that matches your values and personality or those of the deceased.

At Les Sentiers, you’ll discover a peaceful setting featuring pathways allowing you to experience a seamless connexion with nature, where you’ll find tranquility and serenity while witnessing the unaltered beauty of Mother Nature.

Type of memorial monument

When it comes to choosing a memorial monument, several options are available: gravestones, memorial plaques, mausoleums, columbariums… That said, they don’t all have the same environmental impact.

While gravestones remain a popular option, greener alternatives do exist, including natural burials or memorial plaques. Also, columbariums are an interesting choice for keeping urns.

What about the actual funeral?

The funeral is when those left behind gather to honour and celebrate with grace and dignity the life of the deceased. The ceremony that follows the service allows friends and family to share a moment to reflect and celebrate the memory of the person who has passed. This can also be done in an environmentally responsible manner.

During the gathering, steer clear of single-use items such as plastic cutlery or balloons.

Be it a traditional funeral ritual or a more optimistic and cheerful gathering, it’s possible to reduce the impact on the environment.

Making environmentally friendly funeral arrangements at Les Sentiers

If you’re wondering if it’s possible to make funeral arrangements that respect the wishes of the deceased while following sound environmental practices, the answer is yes!

Trust our team at Les Sentiers to guide you in organizing a greener funeral. Whether you’re planning your own funeral or that of a loved one, our team will work to reflect the true personality of the person, allowing to honour their memory in an intimate setting where nature and environmental preservation are valued.

 

commentaires

Un très gros merci à toute l’équipe! En particulier pour celles qui nous ont accompagnés toute la journée. Tout s’est déroulé à merveille grâce à leur aide. Les invités ont absolument adoré l’endroit. Ce fut une très belle journée dans les circonstances. Ma mère aurait été très contente de la cérémonie et de cette journée.

Félix Morency-Lavoie

commentaires

Je veux vous remercier, vous d’abord Monsieur Tittel, pour votre belle écoute et votre disponibilité lors du décès de mon mari Aurélien Boisvert. Votre approche est humaine et réconfortante. Également, je veux souligner le travail impeccable accompli par le directeur qui a officialisé ou plutôt dirigé la cérémonie à l’église et au cimetière. Il avait toujours le souci et la délicatesse d’aller selon le désir de la famille. Et à la toute fin il a adressé la parole comme si c’était le défunt qui énonçait ses dernières volontés.

Tous étaient unanimes, c’était spécial, unique et touchant. Il est vraiment dans sa profession. Merci de lui transmettre notre gratitude et notre satisfaction.

Émilienne B. Boisvert

commentaires

Je prends quelques minutes pour vous écrire et vous remercier de la collaboration de tout le personnel de Magnus Poirier, Les Sentiers lors des funérailles de Mme Rita Brisson Paquette.

Nous avons eu beaucoup de félicitations concernant la célébrante, la chanteuse, l’endroit choisi pour célébrer ces funérailles et le service impeccable lors du petit goûter, etc. Bref ce fut un succès sur toute la ligne grâce à vous tous.

Andrée et Gilles Brisson

commentaires

Tout au long de notre accompagnement, votre délicatesse a été réconfortante et rassurante, et ce à partir de notre première rencontre jusqu’à la mise en terre de mon papa.

Chacun d’entre vous a contribué à tout mettre en œuvre pour nous faciliter la tâche à chacune des étapes. Je vous remercie d’avoir rendu possible cette belle journée de recueillement et de rassemblement malgré des conditions sanitaires précises à respecter. Soyez assurés que chaque attention a été remarquée et appréciée.

J’aimerais que vous transmettiez nos remerciements les plus sincères à toutes les personnes qui ont été impliquées, de près ou de loin, dans cet événement.

Patricia Savard

commentaires

M. Tittel, laissez-moi vous remercier pour la journée d’hier. Votre personnel attentionné a fait en sorte que tout se passe bien et dans le respect. Encore une fois votre organisation s’est montrée très professionnel et à la hauteur de nos attentes.

Pier-Luc Cadieux 

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