For those families that wish to lessen the carbon footprint left behind, we are proud to offer services and merchandise to meet those needs. Please call 630-445-1439 if you would like to discuss options available.
Simplicity Funeral & Cremation Care has made available a green burial option and is one of a select group of funeral providers approved by the Green Burial Council; a nonprofit organization that encourages the use of burial as a means of facilitating the restoration, acquisition and stewardship of natural areas.
For families that desire this type of service, formaldehyde based embalming is prohibited as is the use of metal and concrete burial products. Caskets or alternative containers used to enclose and transport your loved one are made of biodegradable materials and are available in a wide range of prices. Home wakes, public visitations, church funerals and graveside services are options that may be arranged within the time frame green burial allows.
In addition to ecological and emotional benefits, green burials can often be friendlier to your bank account. What makes a natural burial different from a monetary perspective is that the money you spend is allocated differently. This money helps to carry on the legacy of your loved one by protecting green space instead of going towards the mark up on expensive unnecessary consumption.
Preparation of your loved one for green burial
When a child is born, it is lovingly cleansed from the unclean residue of the birthing process and wrapped in a new clean blanket–ready to begin the journey on this earth. In keeping, when a person has left their body at the end of life, they too should be lovingly cleansed of all earthly unclean residue (such as clothing, belts, zippers, shoes, wallets, etc.) all left behind and the body purified for transition out of this world.
First the body and hair are washed thoroughly with simple soap and pure water, including the inside of the mouth and dried. Then a purification of natural herbal scented green burial wash is applied over the entire body. Nothing is placed on the feet, and all jewelry is removed and given to your family.
The body is now naturally purified and is ready to be placed inside the burial shroud you have selected-free from undergarments or in brand new 100% cotton undergarments. This preparation will be done by the funeral director, and the family may assist in this purification, if desired.
This practice is a very ancient and very Holy, no matter what faith. This process can be accompanied by silent or spoken prayers or playing of music. For agnostics or environmentalists, this is a practice devoid of unhealthy chemicals, glues, toxins and violating or invasive procedures. This process allows only organic matter into the earth.
This preparation is an environmentally sound and spiritual act, connecting love for family and community, which promotes healthy grieving, as well as being a meaningful experience in our lives, just as the birth of the newborn child.
