Green Burial

Green Burial

Regard for the environment and a stewardship of nature is a growing  concern for many people. The chemical and containers used in modern funerals have left some folks searching for a more natural solution. We hear your concerns and are exploring more green solutions to balance a meaningful service with eco-friendly choices.

Create Healing Experiences

As more and more families become concerned about the effects on the environment, the consideration of a green funeral is becoming increasingly popular. A green funeral is an alternative to a traditional burial or cremation because it is an environmentally friendly option. The thought behind a green funeral is to keep the process and products as natural as possible. The type of funeral service should naturally reflect the individual's character, their way of life, beliefs, and ideals. 

First Certified Green Burial Area in Arkansas

Traditional burial rituals have been “Green” for thousands of years, being performed without a casket, symbolizing the return to the Earth and the dust from which you were created; honoring the natural process intended for our bodies to be reunited with the earth. The key difference between our hybrid green burial section and the rest of the property is that burials are performed in biodegradable caskets or shrouds with no concrete vaults or liners placed in the interment space. As environmental consciousness continues to rise, Kirby’s Tucker Memorial Cemetery remains committed to responsibly using natural resources. We understand that many of our families choose to consider ecological values in addition to religious values when making their end-of-life arrangements. Kirby’s Tucker Memorial Cemetery continues to be among the most progressive cemeteries in Arkansas, offering the largest variety of options to our community. Those considering green burial are often surprised to discover how engaging and gratifying the process can be for the family and loved ones of the deceased. Green burial offers many opportunities for families to participate in a variety of steps throughout the burial process, such as carrying their loved one’s body to the gravesite, lowering the body into the grave, and filling the grave space. Though family participation is entirely optional, many families appreciate the intimacy such close involvement provides. Green burial is yet another example of our dedication to accommodate the requests and diversity of the families we are honored to serve. 

There is a difference

Kirby and Family is the only Funeral Home and Cemetery in Arkansas approved by the Green Burial Council, a non-profit organization, to offer a green burial package. For such arrangements, formaldehyde-based embalming is not required. Caskets or alternative containers used to enclose and transport your loved one are made of biodegradable materials and are available in a range of prices. Service options may be arranged within the limited time frame green burial allows. As with all of our service and merchandise offerings, detailed price information for each component is itemized on our General Price List and our Eco-Friendly Casket and Urn Price List. Although formaldehyde-based embalming is prohibited, there are alternative embalming and preparation care options available. A funeral with a viewing can be arranged to take place in the home, chapel, church, gravesite, or location of choice. Our green burial offerings can be provided within a green or conventional cemetery and in certain instances at homestead burial sites. Many families will have a gathering - formal or informal - prior to or after the green committal. This allows the time of remembrance for family and friends to honor the life of their loved one. Gathering with friends and family gives everyone the opportunity to share memories, express emotions, and find comforting support. When you choose green burial, we offer you the option to select a formal funeral or a more relaxed memorial service, the need for acknowledgment of the loss with family and friends is ever present. We can help you create a unique meaningful ceremony to express the genuine individuality of your loved one. We offer families a beautiful setting in which to come together to honor your loved one. But, you may certainly choose to celebrate their life in a more unique setting. No matter where you decide to gather together, such a service will make a difference in the lives of all who attend.

Visitation

This time is set aside for family and friends to gather together to say goodbye, while being in the comfort of those closest to them. We can personalize the visitation to be as unique as your loved one with a tribute video, items or displays that were important to your loved one, or simply pictures displayed. We will work with your family to design the perfect gathering experience. If you choose not to use embalming a visitation is still possible, however options for viewing will need to be discussed.

Funeral or Memorial Service

The funeral or memorial service can be held in our chapel, a church, or any other venue the family chooses. We work with our families to design a service that honors their loved one with stories, music, or scripture. We also have life celebrants that lead services where clergy may not be chosen. Our celebrants are trained in creating experiences that help start the healing process.

Graveside Service

A graveside service can be held in place of a funeral and can be preceded by visitation at the cemetery or at the funeral home if desired.

Committal Service

A committal service is typically held immediately following the funeral service at the cemetery.

Natural Burial Grounds

Because of cemetery requirements, it is often hard to find a location that allows the green burial you may want. We are fortunate to have the only natural burial conservation site in the state, within just a few minutes of either of our locations. This allows for individuals to be returned to nature in the most environmentally friendly way possible, in an all-natural material casket, urn or shroud.