Explore your options for eco-friendly funeral services in Auckland, including green burials, cremation alternatives, and natural memorials that honour both life and nature.
In recent years, more of our Auckland families have embraced eco-friendly funerals, seeing them as a way to honour their loved ones while protecting the planet.
At Windsor Funerals, we offer various environmentally conscious funeral options that help families create natural, personal tributes that reflect individual values of sustainability and creation care.
We work closely with families to ensure that each component—from preparations to caskets and urns to burials and final resting places—truly reflects their values.
Natural Preservation and Preparations: Embalming + Makeup
Before a viewing or burial, we prepare the body according to the type of memorial and family wishes. Traditionally, this includes embalming for preservation, dressing and applying makeup.
However, a more natural preservation preparation process includes body washing and preserving at a cool temperature. We meet individual preferences about bodily care, use non-toxic chemicals, and natural makeup provided by the family.
Cremation as an Eco-Friendly Option?
Flame cremation is often considered a more eco-friendly choice, especially when the body isn’t embalmed. However, cremation does create additional CO2 and other gases in the atmosphere, so it’s important to consider your personal priorities when choosing a sustainable option.
Our cremators use well-maintained, modern equipment that attempts to limit emissions. That being said, it is not a purely eco-friendly option.
Water cremation, otherwise known as aquamation or Alkaline Hydrolysis, is a newer, greener method of body disposition. It involves a body being dissolved in an alkaline solution of potassium hydroxide and water, using less energy than cremation.
While water cremation is widely used overseas, and we eagerly await the introduction of this new technology in New Zealand.
Burial Options: Natural Caskets, Coffins, and Urns
When considering eco-friendly burial vessels, the individual can be laid to rest in a biodegradable option like a shroud, untreated wooden casket, or eco-urn that breaks down naturally.
Eco-urns, as an alternative to keepsake vessels following cremation, are often made from materials like recycled paper, clay, cornstarch, or plant fibres and are designed to decompose naturally when exposed to the elements.
Fortunately, many of our suppliers in New Zealand offer beautiful, natural options. Here are a few of our most popular choices:
- Plywood caskets: At Windsor Funerals, we provide affordable plywood caskets that do not use nails or screws.
- Jibana is an Auckland based company that offers a natural and elegant collection of contemporary caskets and urns made from sustainable materials like willow, bamboo, seagrass, and jute.
- Outside The Box offers beautiful 100% biodegradable cardboard caskets and urns made from sustainable and recyclable materials.
- Biodegradable urns (or bio urns) can even come with plant seeds or saplings, allowing families to plant them to create a living tribute.
These are just a handful of options, and we can help you find the perfect casket, coffin, or urn to match your budget and values.
Green Burials: A Natural Resting Place
Following the natural preparation and burial options, eco-friendly resting locations can be considered.
A natural burial buries the body closer to the surface and uses a process that allows conditions for swift decomposition and regeneration of a natural forest above the graves. Certified natural burial locations require a total green burial – avoid embalming chemicals, synthetic materials, and concrete vaults. It must be noted that grave markers are not allowed in a green burial area, which some families find difficult in the grieving process.
Locally, Auckland’s Waikumete Cemetery has a dedicated green burial area, offering families a tranquil, open environment where nature takes its course.
Burial At Sea
Though less common, burials at sea can be another eco-friendly option. These require access to a boat or helicopter and additional planning and permits, but we can walk you through the process, permissions, and paperwork. Families who do this find it beautiful and deeply meaningful.
Creative Memorials: A Living Legacy
These ideas are just the beginning. If you would like to do additional research on Eco-Burial and memorial options, we suggest you read the thoughtful article written by Ethically Kate: Green Burial Options For A Sustainable End Of Life Send-Off.
We work with every family to identify the best sustainable choices to fit their budget, values and passions. Choosing an eco-friendly funeral is more than just reducing environmental impact; it’s about creating a meaningful tribute that resonates with an individual’s connection to the world.
If you have any more questions or ideas, please reach out to our Windsor Funerals team. We’re here to support you in any way we can.
Windsor Funerals provides compassionate, personalised, affordable funeral options in Auckland.
Our team works closely with each family to ensure that every detail aligns with their values, budget, and vision for a meaningful farewell. We aim to help families make decisions that resonate with their loved ones’ lives and legacies. Contact our Windsor Funerals team today for more information or to discuss your options. We’re here to support you every step of the way.