Listen: Green Goodbyes: Choosing an Eco-Friendly Burial

By Paula Span October 14, 2025

A funeral ceremony honoring Nancy Koney at Larkspur Conservation. (John Christian Phifer/Larkspur Conservation)

Cremation has become Americans’ for the postmortem treatment of their bodies. But the process involves burning fossil fuels, which may release . “The New Old Age” columnist Paula Span appeared on WAMU’S Oct. 8 “Health Hub” to explain some of the more environmentally friendly alternatives.

This story also ran on . It can be republished for free.

Green burials are gaining popularity as an affordable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional funerals. They avoid toxic embalming chemicals, steel caskets, and concrete vaults, letting a body naturally decompose. Methods range from the elaborate — like “human composting” and water cremation — to a simple pine box.

“The New Old Age” columnist Paula Span appeared on WAMU’s Oct. 8 “Health Hub” to talk about the environmental and economic motivations behind these alternatives to conventional burials.

Jackson Sinnenberg contributed to this report.

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Listen: Green Goodbyes: Choosing an Eco-Friendly Burial

By Paula Span October 14, 2025

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<h2>Listen: Green Goodbyes: Choosing an Eco-Friendly Burial</h2>
	<span class="byline">Paula Span</span>

<p>Cremation has become Americans’  for the postmortem treatment of their bodies. But the process involves burning fossil fuels, which may release . “<a href="/topics/the-new-old-age/">The New Old Age</a>” columnist Paula Span appeared on WAMU’S Oct. 8 “Health Hub” to explain some of the more environmentally friendly alternatives.</p>

<p><a href="/news/article/green-burials-funerals-cemeteries-human-composting-new-old-age/">Green burials</a> are gaining popularity as an affordable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional funerals. They avoid toxic embalming chemicals, steel caskets, and concrete vaults, letting a body naturally decompose. Methods range from the elaborate — like “human composting” and water cremation — to a simple pine box.</p>

<p>“<a href="/topics/the-new-old-age/">The New Old Age</a>” columnist Paula Span appeared on WAMU’s Oct. 8 “Health Hub” to talk about the environmental and economic motivations behind these alternatives to conventional burials.</p>

<p><em>Jackson Sinnenberg contributed to this report. </em></p>
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