The Rockland Community Foundation's Green Cemetery Fund presents the "Top Five Reasons Green Burials Beat Traditional Burials"

April 13, 2015 -- As Earth Day approaches, the Rockland Community Foundation’s Green Cemetery Fund announced its “Top Five” list of reasons why a green burial is better than traditional burials.

The RCF’s Green Cemetery Fund was created in April 2014 by Kerry Potter, a Suffern resident and host of WRCR 1300AM’s “Dying to Bloom” radio program. The fund’s goal is to establish in Rockland County a sustainable alternative to conventional cemeteries. Green cemeteries offer ecologically-sound burial options and a natural return to Earth. Each burial supports restoration and preservation of pristine, undeveloped open space.

So, with Earth Day not far away, here are the “Top Five Reasons Green Burials Beat Traditional Burials.”

1. Green burials are a way to provide revenue for land preservation.

2. Natural burial practices reduce the impact on the environment by avoiding hardwood caskets, embalming & cement vaults

3. Wildlife can continue to utilize green cemeteries as their natural habitats

4. Living Rocklanders can enjoy green cemeteries as open trails for walking or hiking (contributing to their overall better health and a longer life)

5. Burying the dead, with a natural return to the Earth, reconnects people with the process of nature.

“In a green cemetery, bodies are buried in bio-degradable coffins. To accommodate this growing trend, there are many beautiful eco-friendly products available, including natural woven coffins, shrouds, eco-pods made from recycled paper and of course, simple pine boxes,” Kerry said. “In lieu of large headstones, one can choose to have an indigenous rock engraved as a marker or do something simple, such as plant native flowers. The goal is to respect both the deceased and the land, leaving both as undisturbed and as natural as possible,” Kerry added.

The Green Cemetery Fund is one of several funds in the Rockland Community Foundation’s diverse portfolio that are working to make a difference in the lives of people throughout Rockland County. The Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life for all people in Rockland County by encouraging charitable giving. To learn more about the Green Cemetery Fund, the Foundation and its programs, visit www.rocklandgives.org.

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To contact Kerry Potter: DyingToBloom@gmail.com

Visit the “Dying to Bloom” Facebook page and catch previous programs on the “Dying to Bloom YouTube channel.