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Planning • 2 min read

A guide to green funerals

A green funeral, also known as a green burial or natural burial, aims to have as minimal an impact on the environment as possible.

For years, the ‘traditional’ funeral has involved a coffin, flowers, a cemetery and a wake or memorial service. However, this may be changing.

Society as a whole is becoming more aware of our environmental footprint. We’re looking for more sustainable products and solutions to use day-to-day, and now that even extends to reducing the footprint of our deaths.

What are green funerals?

A green funeral, also known as a green burial or natural burial, aims to have as minimal an impact on the environment as possible. Ways to reduce the impact include burying at a green burial site, using an environmentally conscious coffin or casket, having no headstone and choosing not to use any chemical preservatives or disinfectants.

Why the rise in green funerals?

People are becoming a lot more environmentally conscious, and the need to protect the environment for future generations is an increasing concern.

In a blog published on Palliative Care Australia, it was noted that within the next 200 years there will be so many cemeteries and headstones that there may be very little land left for our future children to enjoy. For many, the idea of leaving the world with as minimal environmental impact as possible is appealing.

When it comes to the environmental impact, the carbon footprint is reduced by 30kg of carbon dioxide per burial just by having a green funeral. That’s the equivalent to leaving a television on for more than seven days.

And the desire for a green funeral is a global phenomenon. According to a 2019 survey conducted by the National Funeral Directors Association, just over 50% of respondents would be interested in exploring “green” funeral options. Over in the UK, fifteen years ago there was only one green burial site, now there are more than 270. Before the commercialisation of the funeral industry, what’s now known as a green burial was the most common way to bury the deceased.

And if you’re budget conscious, another consideration is that a green funeral may be cheaper. While Funeral Insurance can be taken out to cover the cost of your desired farewell, the potential to have a cheaper and more environmentally-friendly burial process is appealing to many.

 

Important information

Cover under the Funeral Insurance Benefit is for Accidental Death only for the first 12 months of cover, including for any increases. Accidental Death has a special meaning in the PDS and some causes of death are excluded during this time—please refer to the PDS or call us for further details. After the first 12 months, the Funeral Insurance Benefit provides cover for all causes of death.

Backed by TAL

^Offer available to Insuranceline customers who complete an application for an Insuranceline branded and distributed Life Insurance, Income Protection or Funeral Insurance policy between 1 October 2023 and 31 March 2024 (inclusive) and are issued with a policy with a commencement date prior to 00.01AM (AEST) 1st of May 2024. To be eligible policy holders must hold the policy for 4 consecutive months and pay 4 months’ premiums in full. One Gift per customer. View full terms and conditions.

**Bonus 10% more cover is calculated on the fifth anniversary from the Policy Commencement Date. Each adult life insured will have an extra 10% of the average Funeral Insurance Cover amount held during the previous five years added to their Funeral Insurance benefit. Terms and conditions apply. Refer to the PDS for more information.

#Claims paid figures relate to all Insuranceline life insurance policies in the 2021 financial reporting year (1 April2021 to 31 March 2022). All claims on Insuranceline policies are assessed against the relevant policy terms and conditions. These terms and conditions, as well an explanation of the claims process, can be found in the applicable Product Disclosure Statement. Claims are administered and settled by the insurer, TAL Life Limited.

***Insuranceline is the longest standing provider of Funeral Insurance in Australia, based on: Strategic Insight, Actuaries & Researchers. Funeral Insurance means a policy with periodic premium payments that provides a lump sum to help pay for funeral and associated expenses when you die and excludes pre-paid Funeral Plans and Funeral Bonds.

The information provided on this website is general advice only which means it does not take into account your individual needs, objectives or financial situation. For this reason, you should consider whether it is appropriate for you, and before you decide to buy or to continue to hold an insurance product, you must read the relevant Combined Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Financial Services Guide (FSG). The PDS/FSG contains important information which will help you understand the product, including what's covered and what's not covered and to decide whether it is appropriate for you. The Target Market Determination (TMD) for the relevant product, where applicable, is also available.

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Promoted by Insuranceline, a trading name of TAL Direct Pty Limited (of Level 16, 363 George Street, Sydney NSW 2000) ABN 39 084 666 017 AFSL 243260. TAL Life Limited ABN 70 050 109 450 AFSL 237848 issues the life insurance benefits. St Andrew's Insurance (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 89 075 044 656 AFSL 239649 issues the Involuntary Unemployment Cover.

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