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Going Green Means More Than Celebrating St. Patrick's Day
In today's society we hear so much talk about going green. It began more in our schools as the teachers and students studied our planet and the affect we are having on our natural resources in not taking the necessary precautions to protect the environment.
This topic has been gaining momentum to the point that world governments are now requiring that various production companies must put in place policies and procedures that will prevent by-product waste from polluting our fresh water re-sources and the air we breathe. Failure to do so can now result in some pretty hefty fines and even the potential closure of some businesses should they fail to comply with government legislation.
Very few people today have not seen or heard Al Gore's reports about the future far reaching affect of global warming on our planet. Whether you support his theories or not one cannot deny that unchecked we will damage our planet beyond repair if we don't start now to take care of this place we call home.
So what can a company like the Ogden Funeral Home do about global warming? Well, we like you, can be a part of responsible businesses and individuals who will contribute to this movement by seeking ways to protect our environment from varies forms of contamination or pollution. One of the things that we are currently examining is various forms of "green funerals".
What do we mean by a green funeral? Well if it were to be truly green it would contain the following elements: a biodegradable casket/coffin with an interior that is all natural, the deceased individual would either not be embalmed or if necessary then embalmed using non-contaminate fluids, a gravesite that would not be as we are accustomed to today in that there would not be any markers/monuments on the graves but rather perhaps natural rock formations or trees; graves that would be dug and filled by hand with shovels in order that no mechanical devises would used to pollute the air; non-use of concrete outer containers around the casket in order to facilitate the return of the deceased individual back to his/her natural elements from which it came as quickly as possible; non-use of roadways or paths leading to these graves nor would the grounds be manicured as is found in most of today's cemeteries but rather nature would prevail as daily care of the cemetery grounds entails various chemicals to control weeds along with grass cutting that requires the use of gas driven lawn mowers that contribute to global warming.
Interested? Well at Ogden's we are in the process of being able to provide various shades of green funerals. At present we are the only funeral home in Ontario that has imported from Great Britain (UK) several hand made willow and sea grass coffins and urns proudly made by a family firm designed to be totally environmentally friendly or "green" in nature. We are working with a chemical company encouraging them to continue their research into the creation of embalming chemicals that are a non-contaminate to our cemeteries that could possible result in leeching of such into nearby underground streams that will eventually make their way into our fresh water supplies. And added to this we participate in the many other ways of recycling and re-use where possible in our community. Using environmentally responsible light bulbs, reducing water usage, electricity, etc. where ever possible. And now, as of June this year there is available for the first time, a cemetery just outside Toronto that has allocated a specific section of their cemetery for the purpose and use of green burials. Individuals who wish to have a funeral in the most natural of ways possible and prevent as little damage to the environment as possible can have a funeral that will be in keeping with their lifestyle and personal beliefs.
Jim Henson's Kermit the Frog sings that it's not easy being green but goes on to claim that it is the colour of spring and he is green and it'll do fine and he thinks that being green is a good thing. Here at Ogden's we also think that green is a good thing. If your desire is to have a funeral that is some form or shade of green, we can make it happen. If you wish to know more about this and other forms of funerals, call and ask to speak with Zoellyn Onn at our office number 416-293-5211 or email Zoey at directors@ogdenfh.com or drop by our funeral home to see our green coffins at your convenience. Ogden's is a responsible family-owned and operated funeral home providing your kind of funeral at an affordable cost.
