A former Mahone Bay resident and Mount Allison University student is back on the South Shore and studying a unique subject.
Hanna Longard is looking into ‘deathcare’ and is hoping locals will share their thoughts on green funeral practices.
Longard says current norms, including embalming, cremation, non-biodegradable caskets, and even the way plots are tended aren’t environmentally friendly.
Longard explains what she’s looking for:
“My research is conversation based so I’m talking to people about what they know about funeral practices, what they want their funeral practices to be like.”
So far Longard has heard from people who are looking for greener funeral practices like biodegradable caskets and low impact, more natural cemeteries.
Longard says even cemeteries have an environmental impact through things like lawn care.
She’s gathering the information through a series of informal conversations.
“I’ve had lots of conversations already and there are lots of people in our community who want these options, who want to talk about funeral practices that acknowledge our relationship with the earth.”
While there are green options, Longard says people also need to be aware that some will ‘green-wash’ those offerings, meaning they’ll make something appear more environmentally friendly than they are or they’ll charge more for something that doesn’t require an extra cost.
She says it is possible to do death care differently, including having a simple casket built by a local carpenter and made from a locally sourced wood or forgoing embalming.
Once she’s compiled her research, Longard may present a report to local councils.
Story by Brittany Wentzell
Twitter: @BrittWentzell
Email: wentzell.brittany@radioabl.ca