Green in life, and in death: natural burial grounds

Part of being fit is the pursuit of a long and healthy life, and no one likes to think about where they'll end up when their days come to an end. But if you've spent a lifetime walking gently on the Earth and doing your best to be an eco-conscious consumer, the thought of being buried in a coffin that's built not to biodegrade, or that may leech chemicals into the Earth might give you pause.

That's why many green consumers are making plans to be buried in green graveyards. In a natural burial ground, the deceased are buried in biodegradable coffins (or sometimes, no coffin at all) and the practice supports the principle of "dust to dust." In addition, say green graveyard supporters, by creating this kind of space in natural areas, they are essentially preserving land from development as well. Funds that would typically be used to pay for lawn services and repairs are instead funneled into land preservation.

This may be one of the most personal choices a person can make, but if you're interested in learning more about natural burial grounds, check out this article from AARP.