Current burial processes prevent the deceased person from again becoming "dust" - one with nature, but green burials are coming.

"Dust thou art, and to dust thou shalt return." The traditional way of burial in the United States, however, makes this traditional Ash Wednesday blessing unattainable. On the contrary, everything about the burial process, from embalming to placement in a metal casket in a lined vault, is designed to prevent the deceased from again becoming one with nature, consuming land, chemicals and scarce resources in the process.

A growing movement known as "green burial," however, aims to restore the natural cycle of birth, death and renewal by encouraging eco-friendly funeral practices.

The aim of the green burial movement is to reduce the ecological footprint of the American way of death through reducing the use of toxic chemicals that cause harm both to the environment and funeral workers, promoting sustainable and environmentally sensitive burial practices, and conserving burial land in its natural state. Green burial advocates also encourage the revival of older, abandoned customs such as home funerals and burials.

Some things you won't find in a green burial include:

• Cement burial vaults. While the metal and cement that go into vaults are "natural" materials, their manufacture and transportation consume energy and add to carbon emissions.
• Metal caskets and urns. Products used in green burials should be made from substances that are nontoxic and easily biodegradable.
• Conventional embalming fluid. The embalming fluid used in most funeral homes contains formaldehyde, a carcinogen that has been shown to increase risk of illness in funeral homes. Newer fluids have come onto the market that are formaldehyde-free, including one made entirely of nontoxic and biodegradable essential oils; these fluids are considered acceptable for use in green burials.

You will find funeral products made of natural and biodegradable materials, burial grounds designed with conservation of the natural environment in mind, and environmentally friendly sites for the disposal of cremated remains.

The Green Burial Council sets standards for several different levels of green burial grounds and green funeral practices and products. You can find information about green funeral providers and burial grounds at the GBC website. Another site, greenburials.org, contains additional information about natural burial practices and places.

Written by Sandy Smith Feb. 24, 2011 1:37 PM ET