I was wondering if any mustachians out there have pre-purchased an eco-burial plot?
The corporatization of the funeral industry and negative environment impacts have been in the news lately here (in Canada). One article related that a typical 10-acre cemetery contains enough formaldehyde and other solvents to fill a swimming pool (chemicals which can leach into soil and groundwater). Also, the point was also made that cremation is not eco-friendly given the energy required to get to 1000 degrees celsius as well as off-gassing.
I've contacted a local eco-burial cemetery (there are only 3 in Canada and luckily one is close) and for $1,400 I can buy a plot in a pretty meadow where they will drop my shrouded and naturally decomposing self into the ground. One can pay for a quicky eco-funeral service as well, but why do that when friends/family can come to the graveside interment, then have a party somewhere nicer and cheaper than a funeral home :).
Since I might live another 50 years and plans could change, there's an option to sell the plot back to the cemetery (at 60%) or sell to someone else for the going rate at the time.
Just wondered whether anyone else has had experience with this. I understand that green burial might be further along in the US and UK as a mechanism to protect and preserve land (I found this link
http://www.greenamerica.org/livinggreen/greenburial.cfm).