June 7, 2024 • 8 mins
When it comes to burials there’s a couple of well-known options in coffins, caskets, and cremation.
However, there are other options on offer as well, some more sustainable than others.
Kate ‘Ethically Kate’ Hall joined Jack Tame to discuss sustainable and green burial options, and what people need to think about when looking at these options.
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Saturday Morning with Jack team podcast
from News Talks at B.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
And our sustainability commentator Kate All aka Ethically Kate is
with us this morning, Childer Kade.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
Well, there is that how a gun?
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Yeah, good, thank you. I've been looking forward to chatting
because you're taking on a bit of a confronting subject
this morning, green burial options. And yeah, I mean for
most people the question is do you want to be
buried or do you want them to fire up the kilm?
But actually it's a little bit more complex than that.
If sustainability is something that you value at the time
(00:40):
of life, when your life comes to an end, there
are lots of different options to consider. So what do
people need to think about?
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Well, I think firstly they're like, we do have a
few different options, but I hope that in the future
we do have more because some of them aren't legal
in New Zealand, right, But I guess you've got to
think about not only how can I dispose of my
body when I'm gone in a way that doesn't harm
the environment, but actually what good can my body do?
(01:09):
You know, if you flip it on, you know, think
about it in a positive light. Then you're not just
saying no to andbalming, but you're thinking about, oh where
could I be buried that I could actually have a
tree planted on top of me, or you know, how
could you know, how could my body actually nourish the
earth when I'm gone rather than just not do bad things?
You know what I mean?
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Ye silver lining somewhere right, Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Well it's like, you know, for me, I think, you know,
I if I cut my nails, I either do it
outside or put that in my compost. Same with my hair.
I'm thinking about composting, you know, bodily items that I
don't need anymore, but your whole body, right, that's going
to break down and that actually can be really nourishing.
(01:52):
So firstly, thinking about what what is my body going
to do? I know, obviously everyone has different cultural values
and traditions that may mean they opt for cremation or
for being berries, but there's so many different things, you know,
that you can choose within that. So firstly, being embalmed
(02:12):
is I think it's something people have just gone to
as a default because it's just kind of traditionally been
what we do. But a lot more people are moving
away from embalming because I mean personally, the sort of
being embalmed. It's like the last thing I would want
my body to do on this earth to be you know,
pumped through full of chemicals, your jaw kind of stitched
(02:33):
it up and you know, to me to look all
kind of nice. Obviously, embalming can be relevant if the
funeral is delayed and things like that. But if you
care for the body and use things like ice and
kind of you know, more natural methods to preserve the body,
you can avoid avoid embalming for both a burial or
a cremation, right, and still you can still, like you
(02:58):
can still have the opportunity for your friends in Fino
to be with the body and look at the body
without being embalmed. Like there's so many different kind of
natural ways, but they can.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
What about sustainable coffins and shrouds and that kind of thing.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
Yes, So I mean probably a lot of people haven't
even thought about, you know, will I be in a shroud?
Because I think in New Zealand that's less common. I
would say, yeah, okay, have you ever been to a
funeral with a shroud?
Speaker 1 (03:27):
No?
Speaker 2 (03:27):
I don't think I have. I've been to a few,
you know, a few funerals with open coffins, but not
one we're anyone's wearing a shroud. I don't think no,
So like a excuse my ignorance on this. It's kind
of like a veil, right.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Well, it's basically just a lot of cloth. I actually, strangely,
my uncle wants to be he's fine and well, unhappy,
but in the future he wants to be buried in
a shroud. And he has a big connection with India.
So when I was in India last year, I actually
got him a shroud. And it's essentially cloth, just a
lot of it, right, so you can choose. I mean,
(04:03):
we have a lot of different It was ready, and
it was funny when I was when I was purchasing it,
I was being you know, focused on the details, and
then I realized, oh my goodness, I don't want this
to be used anyway. So you know shrouds, yeah, places
like in there. That's actually a really common thing that
the body is just essentially wrapped in a lot of
(04:24):
fabric and then there may be some you know, kind
of rope or ribbons or things tied around it. And
you know, if you do want that body to be
present and kind of on display at the funeral. There's
a shroud barrier bearer, like a shroud carrier, so you know,
a platform that it can go on, the body can
(04:44):
be placed on, so it can actually be carried easier,
so you're not just carry you know, carrying a body
in cloth. So yeah, thinking about a shroud, thinking about
natural materials, thinking about if the body is in the
coffin that hopefully that word is made from sustainable materials
that aren't treated. Thinking about even the clothes that the
(05:06):
body is clothed in, you know, like hopefully yeah, natural
fibers you know, will cotton hemp rather than you're synthed
a kind of polyesters which will not really break down
in the ground. And one thing, I've really dived into
this topic recently and it's been fascinating because I don't think,
you know, your death is not really a lovely thing
(05:28):
to talk about, but we really need to think about
these things because there's so many of us and we'll
all need to end up, you know, with a body
we don't need one day. So it's cool. In New
Zealand we do have more natural burial sites, so places
where you can opt to be buried, and you have
(05:49):
to kind of work with the team there to make
sure that all the materials that are going in the
ground with the body are natural and won't do damage
to the environment. And then a tree is placed on
top of that so kind of in memory and also
that tree will be well known. But as the body
breaks down.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Yeah, I really like that. So at the moment, what
would be the most sustainable options in New Zealand detail.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
So until we have water cremation, which is a whole
other thing where basically the body is Yeah, so that's
also it's about half the carbon emissions of your natural,
your normal, normal cremation. So until we have water cremation,
which is essentially with a lot of heat and pressure
and alkaline, the body tissues are all broken down and
(06:38):
you're left with just the bones. So that's basically yeah,
you're the matter over. I think it's a matter of
about twelve hours. It just breaks down and doesn't need
that intense energy that cremation takes. But that's not legal
in New Zealand yet, but keep an eye on that space.
We do just have natural burial and cremation. So with cremation,
(07:00):
obviously that does involve a lot of energy intensity, and
so thinking about some cremation. Some crematoriums will have kind
of policy on using energy off peak times and you know,
really thinking carefully about their karmon admissions, which is great.
And when you're being buried, thinking about what is the
(07:20):
body going to be buried and where will it be buried?
Could I go to one of the natural burial sites
so that I can find a natural coffin natural materials
and have a tree planted on top to kind of
pick up less land use and things like that too.
Lots of things to think about it. And there's the
funeral with all the different other elements too. But no,
(07:44):
absolutely not, absolutely not. But if we think about these
things early, you know, then we can kind of make
plans for this and our you know, we can think
and know and trust that, you know, if you were
to not need your body any longer, that it would
be disposed of in a way that was good for
the earth.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Yeah, totally, Hey, thank you so much. That is really
really interesting food for thought. That is Kate Hall, our
sustainability commentator. You can find her on the social media
platforms by searching ethically Kate.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
For more from Saturday Morning with Jack Tame. Listen live
to News Talks ed B from nine am Saturday, or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Saturday Morning with Jack team podcast
from News Talks at B.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
And our sustainability commentator Kate All aka Ethically Kate is
with us this morning, Childer Kade.
Speaker 3 (00:19):
Well, there is that how a gun?
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Yeah, good, thank you. I've been looking forward to chatting
because you're taking on a bit of a confronting subject
this morning, green burial options. And yeah, I mean for
most people the question is do you want to be
buried or do you want them to fire up the kilm?
But actually it's a little bit more complex than that.
If sustainability is something that you value at the time
(00:40):
of life, when your life comes to an end, there
are lots of different options to consider. So what do
people need to think about?
Speaker 3 (00:47):
Well, I think firstly they're like, we do have a
few different options, but I hope that in the future
we do have more because some of them aren't legal
in New Zealand, right, But I guess you've got to
think about not only how can I dispose of my
body when I'm gone in a way that doesn't harm
the environment, but actually what good can my body do?
(01:09):
You know, if you flip it on, you know, think
about it in a positive light. Then you're not just
saying no to andbalming, but you're thinking about, oh where
could I be buried that I could actually have a
tree planted on top of me, or you know, how
could you know, how could my body actually nourish the
earth when I'm gone rather than just not do bad things?
You know what I mean?
Speaker 2 (01:28):
Ye silver lining somewhere right, Yeah, exactly.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Well it's like, you know, for me, I think, you know,
I if I cut my nails, I either do it
outside or put that in my compost. Same with my hair.
I'm thinking about composting, you know, bodily items that I
don't need anymore, but your whole body, right, that's going
to break down and that actually can be really nourishing.
(01:52):
So firstly, thinking about what what is my body going
to do? I know, obviously everyone has different cultural values
and traditions that may mean they opt for cremation or
for being berries, but there's so many different things, you know,
that you can choose within that. So firstly, being embalmed
(02:12):
is I think it's something people have just gone to
as a default because it's just kind of traditionally been
what we do. But a lot more people are moving
away from embalming because I mean personally, the sort of
being embalmed. It's like the last thing I would want
my body to do on this earth to be you know,
pumped through full of chemicals, your jaw kind of stitched
(02:33):
it up and you know, to me to look all
kind of nice. Obviously, embalming can be relevant if the
funeral is delayed and things like that. But if you
care for the body and use things like ice and
kind of you know, more natural methods to preserve the body,
you can avoid avoid embalming for both a burial or
a cremation, right, and still you can still, like you
(02:58):
can still have the opportunity for your friends in Fino
to be with the body and look at the body
without being embalmed. Like there's so many different kind of
natural ways, but they can.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
What about sustainable coffins and shrouds and that kind of thing.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
Yes, So I mean probably a lot of people haven't
even thought about, you know, will I be in a shroud?
Because I think in New Zealand that's less common. I
would say, yeah, okay, have you ever been to a
funeral with a shroud?
Speaker 1 (03:27):
No?
Speaker 2 (03:27):
I don't think I have. I've been to a few,
you know, a few funerals with open coffins, but not
one we're anyone's wearing a shroud. I don't think no,
So like a excuse my ignorance on this. It's kind
of like a veil, right.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Well, it's basically just a lot of cloth. I actually, strangely,
my uncle wants to be he's fine and well, unhappy,
but in the future he wants to be buried in
a shroud. And he has a big connection with India.
So when I was in India last year, I actually
got him a shroud. And it's essentially cloth, just a
lot of it, right, so you can choose. I mean,
(04:03):
we have a lot of different It was ready, and
it was funny when I was when I was purchasing it,
I was being you know, focused on the details, and
then I realized, oh my goodness, I don't want this
to be used anyway. So you know shrouds, yeah, places
like in there. That's actually a really common thing that
the body is just essentially wrapped in a lot of
(04:24):
fabric and then there may be some you know, kind
of rope or ribbons or things tied around it. And
you know, if you do want that body to be
present and kind of on display at the funeral. There's
a shroud barrier bearer, like a shroud carrier, so you know,
a platform that it can go on, the body can
(04:44):
be placed on, so it can actually be carried easier,
so you're not just carry you know, carrying a body
in cloth. So yeah, thinking about a shroud, thinking about
natural materials, thinking about if the body is in the
coffin that hopefully that word is made from sustainable materials
that aren't treated. Thinking about even the clothes that the
(05:06):
body is clothed in, you know, like hopefully yeah, natural
fibers you know, will cotton hemp rather than you're synthed
a kind of polyesters which will not really break down
in the ground. And one thing, I've really dived into
this topic recently and it's been fascinating because I don't think,
you know, your death is not really a lovely thing
(05:28):
to talk about, but we really need to think about
these things because there's so many of us and we'll
all need to end up, you know, with a body
we don't need one day. So it's cool. In New
Zealand we do have more natural burial sites, so places
where you can opt to be buried, and you have
(05:49):
to kind of work with the team there to make
sure that all the materials that are going in the
ground with the body are natural and won't do damage
to the environment. And then a tree is placed on
top of that so kind of in memory and also
that tree will be well known. But as the body
breaks down.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Yeah, I really like that. So at the moment, what
would be the most sustainable options in New Zealand detail.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
So until we have water cremation, which is a whole
other thing where basically the body is Yeah, so that's
also it's about half the carbon emissions of your natural,
your normal, normal cremation. So until we have water cremation,
which is essentially with a lot of heat and pressure
and alkaline, the body tissues are all broken down and
(06:38):
you're left with just the bones. So that's basically yeah,
you're the matter over. I think it's a matter of
about twelve hours. It just breaks down and doesn't need
that intense energy that cremation takes. But that's not legal
in New Zealand yet, but keep an eye on that space.
We do just have natural burial and cremation. So with cremation,
(07:00):
obviously that does involve a lot of energy intensity, and
so thinking about some cremation. Some crematoriums will have kind
of policy on using energy off peak times and you know,
really thinking carefully about their karmon admissions, which is great.
And when you're being buried, thinking about what is the
(07:20):
body going to be buried and where will it be buried?
Could I go to one of the natural burial sites
so that I can find a natural coffin natural materials
and have a tree planted on top to kind of
pick up less land use and things like that too.
Lots of things to think about it. And there's the
funeral with all the different other elements too. But no,
(07:44):
absolutely not, absolutely not. But if we think about these
things early, you know, then we can kind of make
plans for this and our you know, we can think
and know and trust that, you know, if you were
to not need your body any longer, that it would
be disposed of in a way that was good for
the earth.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Yeah, totally, Hey, thank you so much. That is really
really interesting food for thought. That is Kate Hall, our
sustainability commentator. You can find her on the social media
platforms by searching ethically Kate.
Speaker 1 (08:16):
For more from Saturday Morning with Jack Tame. Listen live
to News Talks ed B from nine am Saturday, or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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