Green & Eco-Friendly Funeral Alternatives in California

If you’ve lived your life caring about, protecting, or enjoying nature, there are end-of-life options that allow your final choices to better reflect that connection.

You may already be aware that flame cremation requires significant energy and produces emissions, or that conventional embalming uses chemicals that can pose health and environmental concerns. While flame cremation and conventional burial may be the right choice for some families, there are now a number of alternatives that work more closely with natural processes. Here’s a look at the options available to you in Southern California.

Terramation

Terramation, also known as human composting or natural organic reduction, replicates the decomposition process in a controlled environment. The body is placed in a vessel with organic materials, transforming the body into nutrient-rich compost over approximately 60 to 90 days. Once the process is complete, the compost can be returned to loved ones or donated to conservation projects. The first facilities in California will most likely be available in 2027. Until then, LifeSource partners with Return Home in Auburn, Washington.

Remains: Families receive 10 to 15 pounds of compost, with the option to purchase more (the additional cost is for shipping the compost). The compost can then be returned to the earth to support new plant life. Any remaining compost is donated.

Terramation Resource Considerations

Energy: Energy is needed to operate the facility, including ventilation, monitoring equipment, climate control, and other supporting systems. This electricity can come from renewable energy sources.

Greenhouse Gases: Terramation avoids direct greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon from the body and organic materials becomes part of the finished compost rather than being released through combustion.

Water: Very little water is needed for human composting. The organic materials are moistened to create the conditions for decomposition to take place.

Land: Terramation requires relatively little land because the process takes place indoors and does not permanently occupy burial space. However, it does require a dedicated facility for operations.

Resources: Terramation uses organic materials such as wood chips, straw, and other plant matter to support decomposition. It also requires the infrastructure and resources associated with operating an indoor facility.

Aquamation

Aquamation, also known as water cremation or alkaline hydrolysis, is a gentle, water-based alternative to flame cremation. The body is placed in a specialized vessel with an alkaline solution (the opposite of an acidic solution) made from water and sodium or potassium hydroxide. Over approximately 4 to 8 hours, the body returns to its natural building blocks, and just as with flame cremation, the bones remain.

Remains: The bones are dried and turned into a fine, ash-like powder that is returned to the family.

Aquamation Resource Considerations

Energy: Aquamation uses approximately 85-90% less energy than flame cremation.

Greenhouse Gases: The body breaks down naturally through chemical processes. Greenhouse gas emissions are primarily associated with transportation and any energy needed to operate indoor facilities.

Water: The process uses about 400 gallons of water, which is roughly eight days of average water use for a Californian. After the process, the liquid is treated for pH and returned to the water treatment system.

Land: Aquamation does not require permanent cemetery space, allowing families to choose what feels meaningful for the remains afterward. The process requires a dedicated indoor facility to house the aquamation vessel and other equipment.

Resources: Aquamation relies on relatively simple inputs: water, an alkaline solution, and a specialized vessel that can be used again and again.

Burial at Sea

Burial at sea offers a simple way for the body to be laid to rest directly in the ocean. The body is transported at least three miles offshore and placed in the water in either a weighted biodegradable shroud or a prepared steel casket. Over time, the body naturally decomposes and returns to the marine environment. Steel caskets are used rather than stainless steel so the material can gradually rust and break down over time.

Remains: The entire body remains in the ocean and naturally returns to the marine environment. Families receive the exact latitude and longitude afterward.

Burial at Sea Resource Considerations

Energy: Fuel is required for the vessel transporting the body and family offshore.

Greenhouse Gases: The body decomposes naturally rather than being combusted. The carbon within the body remains in the ocean as the body nourishes marine life. There are also greenhouse gases released from fuel used to power the vessel.

Water: No additional water is needed for the burial process.

Land: No permanent cemetery space or ongoing cemetery land maintenance is needed.

Resources: The primary resource used for burial at sea is the fuel needed to transport the body and family offshore. Additional materials depend on the choice of a biodegradable, natural-fiber shroud, casket, and ballast weights.

Natural and Green Burial

Natural burial, also known as green burial, returns to the simpler burial practices used before embalming and many modern funeral practices became common. The body is cared for without embalming and laid directly in the earth in a biodegradable casket or natural-fiber shroud. You can see an overview of natural burial options in Southern California here.

Remains : Because the body is not embalmed and is buried in biodegradable materials directly in contact with the soil, decomposition occurs naturally. Over time, the body and burial materials break down and return to the earth.

Natural Burial Resource Considerations

Energy: Energy use primarily comes from transporting and refrigerating the body and, if used, machinery for digging and closing the grave. Some natural burial grounds dig graves partially or entirely by hand.

Greenhouse Gases: Direct greenhouse gas emissions can be relatively low with natural burial. However, transportation, refrigeration, digging equipment, and the production and transport of burial containers do contribute to emissions.

Water: Natural burial grounds often maintain a more natural landscape rather than the highly manicured lawns associated with many conventional cemeteries. Depending on the cemetery and local ecosystem, this can reduce or eliminate the need for routine irrigation, fertilizers, pesticides, and intensive lawn maintenance.

Land: Natural burial requires dedicated land, as does conventional cemetery burial. However, how land is managed can make an important difference. Natural burial grounds may preserve native vegetation and provide habitat rather than maintaining manicured turf grass. Conservation natural burial cemeteries go a step further and use the act of burial as a way to protect natural lands and their ecosystems from all future development.

Resources : Natural burial keeps material use simple, relying on biodegradable materials such as natural-fiber shrouds or caskets made from untreated wood, wicker, or other natural materials.

Flame Cremation

While flame cremation generally has a greater environmental impact than the alternatives explored above, accessibility is also an important part of sustainability. Its relatively low cost makes it available to families across a wider range of budgets. For every flame cremation we provide, LifeSource plants a tree through the Arbor Day Foundation.

From an environmental perspective, the greatest consideration is energy use. Flame cremation requires extremely high temperatures, generated by burning natural gas or propane, which also produce greenhouse gas emissions. Although the cremation process itself does not require water or permanent cemetery space, environmental impacts are associated with extracting, processing, and transporting the fossil fuels it relies on, including water use, land disturbance, and the use of nonrenewable resources.

No single end-of-life option is right for every person or family. Understanding how each choice uses energy, water, land, and other resources can help you make a decision that reflects your values, priorities, and wishes for returning to the earth. You can watch a full presentation of this content here: https://youtu.be/NlGdeRNwx2E