Natural Options for Life’s Toughest Choices …
With people turning toward more natural and environmentally responsible living, more people are also thinking about natural burial. Many times, an individual or family’s burial and funeral choices reflect honored values and beliefs. The important thing to remember is that there are many options available. People spend time discussing, researching and comparing items for purchases, such as cars, and the same can be done for funerals. Funerals and burials can cost several thousand dollars, and decisions can be difficult to make at the time of death, especially if not well informed of available options, including whether or not to use a funeral director.
More people are caring for their departed loved ones by having home funerals or by arranging for natural burials. For some families, the use of a funeral home will work best for them; and for others, making their own arrangements is a better option. Another choice is whether or not to embalm. Some people are surprised to learn that the U.S. and parts of Canada are the only countries in the world where embalming is customary. Individuals can choose not to embalm; in fact, in green cemeteries, embalming is not allowed. This option saves money and prevents embalming chemicals from entering the soil. In addition, a vault—the outer burial container for the casket that most traditional cemeteries require—is not allowed in nature preserves, which also saves money.
South Carolina is on the leading edge of natural cemeteries/preserves. Business locations include Dust to Dust Green Burial and Nature Preserve, in Swansea; Greenhaven Preserve, in Eastover; and Ramsey Creek Preserve, in Westminster. These preserves save land, and provide a spiritually meaningful and natural setting at, often, lower alternative cost options. Michael Bishop at Dust to Dust Green Burial and Nature Preserve states, "Whether looking to save money or making a better environmental decision about burial, we are the solution."
In nature preserves, some burial options include all-natural wooden caskets, cardboard caskets, shrouds, or even a favorite quilt. Burial containers can be customized or decorated by the family. In fact, some families write notes or include flowers or drawn pictures on the casket. Some families choose the more rustic look of a pine box, with others opting for a more traditional style. All of these items can be purchased at a funeral home, online or at a local retail store, such as Angels Affordable Caskets, Urns and More, a locally owned, licensed funeral store on Platt Springs Road, in West Columbia.
Angel’s Affordable Caskets, Urns and More specializes in urns, cremation jewelry, gifts, shrouds and caskets. It is dedicated to providing high-quality, lower-cost funeral merchandise options. The store can deliver to any funeral home in the Southeast. All funeral homes are required to accept funeral merchandise from other licensed stores and should not charge any additional fees. Store owner Wilenda Turner provides consultations by appointment and is available to groups for free seminars covering such topics as natural burials, common funeral misconceptions, custom funeral creations, and money-saving options that honor loved ones. In addition, Turner offers eco-friendly caskets made by local artisans and craftsmen for natural funerals.
Turner is passionate and committed to serving and helping families deal with life’s most difficult circumstances. Her ultimate goal is to provide excellent, customized family care by helping families make informed final decisions while saving money (sometimes thousands of dollars) throughout the process by securing high-quality caskets and merchandise at lower prices. The natural burial process is, most certainly, a very effective and honorable way to fulfill the wishes of a life’s journey.
For more information, Call Wilenda Turner at 803-608-8005.
