In honor of June's World Environment Day, here are five ways to incorporate nature and eco-friendly products into a loved one's memorial or funeral service.

   

1. Hold The Ceremony Outdoors:

Bringing nature into a memorial service can be as simple as holding the service outdoors. Parks, beaches, gardens, church courtyards, and even your own backyard can serve as a perfect location. Or, for a more unique ceremony, conservation cemeteries (which are protected sanctuaries for wildlife and native flora) offer a unique “green” alternative to traditional cemetery burials.

Check out this Green Burial Cemetery Provider Map from the Green Burial Council to see locations across the United States that provide conservation cemeteries:

https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/cemetery-provider-map/

   

2. Incorporate Products With Nature Themes:

Consider urns, jewelry, and keepsakes with themes like trees, leaves, flowers, butterflies, or birds to further your nature-centered memorial. Stardust Memorials offers a variety of products that reflect the beauty of nature including (but not limited to) our selection of butterfly and bird urns, landscape-themed scattering tubes, and unique nature-inspired jewelry like our dragonfly or hummingbird pendants.

   

3. Use Nature In Your Displays And Memorabilia 

You can also create a display of memorabilia, photos, painted rocks, flowers from your garden, or even your loved one’s favorite houseplants. Take it one step further and incorporate your natural themes into memorial cards, programs, poems, or readings.

   

4. Plant A Tree:

Planting a tree in honor of a loved one can be so meaningful and has been a popular idea for years. In recent times, an added twist has been the idea of burying ashes beneath the tree. A common misconception is that your loved one really “becomes” a tree. While "becoming a tree" is a beautiful sentiment, the reality is that ashes are not the best additive for tree health. Cremated remains commonly have high pH levels as well as salt and calcium concentrations; ultimately opening the door to damaged roots and stunted growth. For this reason, families who wish to bury ashes under a tree should seek out products specifically designed for tree memorials. They will often include soil amendments to help the seedlings grow strong and balance out the alkalinity of the ashes. If you opt to skip the biodegradable urns for this purpose, we recommend spreading only a tablespoon of ashes around the topsoil or gently mixing in the small amount of ashes into the soil prior to planting. 

Another thing to keep in mind is that growing a sapling or small tree requires some extra attention and care for the first few months while your seedling settles into its new home. However, once the tree becomes more established, maintenance becomes much easier, and you now have a permanent, living, growing memorial to visit and remember your loved one. Read our blog article Planting a Memorial Tree: A Lasting Tribute for more information.

   

5. Use Biodegradable Products For A “Return To Nature” Ceremony:

Stardust Memorials offers a variety of biodegradable, eco-friendly cremation urns and scattering tubes. Whether you’re seeking a more traditional burial with nature-themed products, you’re planning to scatter your loved one’s ashes, or you’d like to hold a water burial, our selection includes floral and landscape-themed scattering tubes, biodegradable Himalayan salt urns, biodegradable sand urns, and even biodegradable turtles and shells. With a variety of biodegradable urns to choose from, we can help you tailor your nature-themed memorial service to your specific needs and desires. 

However you decide to design your nature-inspired memorial service, Stardust Memorials is here to help answer your questions, provide products, and assist you with your personalization requests.