Green Burials
Read about why others have chosen SouthCare for their funeral and cremation needs.
SouthCare Cremation & Funeral Society is the first funeral home in Georgia to be approved by the Green Burial Council.
Green burials - also known as natural burials - are increasingly popular. As simple as cremation, yet as ritualistic as traditional burials, green burials are environmentally friendly, and, in some cases, more economical than traditional funerals.
Green burials take place in green cemeteries without the use of vaults or outer burial containers. There is no embalming, and caskets are comprised of biodegradable materials such as wood.
SouthCare works with green burial cemeteries across the state of Georgia. Funeral rites can be the same as traditional burials, and can include public viewing with ecobalming, a private family viewing, ceremony or graveside service.
For those who elect a dignified burial while maintaining important environmental standards, allow us to assist you in planning a memorable service.
Green burials are increasingly popular. The following surveys show respondents interest in Green Burial:
AARP 2007 – 42%
Kates-Boylston 2008 – 43%
US Catholic Magazine 2011 – 80%
FAMIC Harris Poll 2015 – 64%
GBC Survey 2015 – 45%
Medium article exit poll 2016 – 79%
NFDA Consumer Preference Survey 2017 – 53.8%
Kates-Boylston 2021 – 84%
NFDA Survey 2022 – 60.5%
The following infographic shows the differences between a traditional cemetery and a green cemetery:
A study done by Mary Woodsen of Cornell University and Greensprings Natural preserve in Newfield, New York found that Burials in the United States us approximately:
- 4.3 million gallons embalming fluid
- 20 million board feet of hardwoods, including rainforest woods
- 1.6 million tons of concrete
- 17,000 tons of copper and bronze
- 64,500 tons of steel
- Caskets and vaults leaching iron, copper, lead, zinc and cobalt
Click here to download our Green Burial Brochure
