Out in Vermont, their lawmakers are working on something interesting.
The measure would permit burials at a depth of at least 3½ feet, compared with the current 5-foot state requirement.
It's referred to as a "green burial":
At the current required depth of 5 feet in Vermont, conditions are far from optimal, missing, among other factors, heat and oxygen needed for decomposition.
At a depth of 3½ feet, the conditions are much better, providing the necessary heat and oxygen as well as insect and microbial activity, to achieve rapid decomposition and the return of nutrients back to the soil.
But that's not the entire story:
The bill follows legislation in 2015 that approved “green cemeteries,” allowing for “natural burials” of bodies without vaults, embalming or caskets made of nonbiodegradable materials such as metal.
A green burial minimizes impacts on the environment that can come from concrete vaults and embalming chemicals, and maximizes the positive effects, allowing for rapid decomposition and the recycling of nutrients back into the soil.
Even the shroud or coffin in a green burial is biodegradable...... with no embalming fluid used on the body.
A decomposing body, 42 inches down, no coffin.
What do you think?
Read more:
Out for now.......
Matt