Green Burials

A Green Burial is burial that can take place without the use of concrete burial vaults, caskets made of metal or the use of formaldehyde-based embalming chemicals.  Caskets can be made of all wood, wicker or a burial shroud or even a cardboard box can be used.  Anything that is going to breakdown quickly when exposed to the earth’s natural elements and moisture. 

Currently, in Indiana burial must be in a designated cemetery that is willing to not require a burial vault.  A few cemeteries have even designated certain areas within their cemetery for “Green Only” burials. 

People who are interested in Green Burial but still want to have a visitation of a funeral service in a place of worship or in the funeral home must be embalmed. To allow people that option we use specialized natural embalming solutions that are biodegradable and ecofriendly...ecobalming it’s called. 

Here at the McGann Hay Funeral Homes we want to help you have the kind of end of life services that you wish to have.  We will assist you in achieving what is best for you and your family and if that is a Green Burial we will do all that we can to make it happen.

This may take more planning time then a traditional funeral so we encourage you to contact one of our funeral directors and he/she will be glad to help you with advanced planning of your Green Burial. Please call 574-232-1411 or fill out the contact form on line from our web site.

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