INTRODUCING green burials in the island is becoming increasingly unlikely due to a lack of available land, according to a funeral director.
‘It is a problem that needs to be addressed,’ said Argent Funeral Services’ Gary Vaudin (pictured).
‘You only have to look at the problem the Castel douzaine had when trying to find somewhere for their new parochial cemetery.
‘And the prices at Le Foulon Cemetery. You are going to have to pay £5,000 to be buried there and it’s because they are trying to encourage more cremations because they don’t have a large area any more.’
He said there were many problems that limited where bodies could be buried, including the island’s water catchment.
A green burial ensures the site remains as natural as possible in all respects. This means interment of a body is done in a biodegradable casket, shroud or a blanket. There is no embalming fluid and no concrete vault.
With many green burials, family members plant a tree next to the grave.
Mr Vaudin said there were other methods of burial that needed to be looked at to help solve the problem of lack of land.
Article posted on 2nd February, 2010 - 2.29pm
13 Article Comments
Has anyone thought about burial at sea?
Obviously the location would have to be worked out as we wouldn’t want bodies being washed up anywhere, but it sounds perfectly viable to me – especially considering our land shortage.
Can anyone see any downsides?
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There used to be a leaflet about burials in Guernsey and burial at sea is a possibility. However, due to the strong tidal currents around the island this is very difficult, as the casket needs to be weighted and positioned properly or it will end up on the beach. They also have to think about storms, spring tides and i guess even fishing, as that is definately not something you would want your line caught on!
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Burial at sea???!! Surfers Against Sewage are going to REALLY hate that!! Body-boarding will never be the same again…..
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burial at sea is a very good option or we could all just be cremated,when your dead your dead it is not as if we are going to come back and complain. ; )
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I think some people may disagree with that statement coco.
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I understand starscream but what if there is no choice, i dont like the idear of being eaten by fish or burnt to nothing eather but if there is not enough land then what else is there
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seriously though – it is a pity we cannot have decent pyres on the beaches, a la shelley (or someone similar) – no hiding dust to dust, and proper closure that way methinks. perhaps we could have one beach put aside for this purpose – i know i’d like to finally blaze away for half an hour or so, getting up your noses and under your skin. Then the waves wash us away (make sure you are burning below the high water mark and ensure a huge fine if you leave glass in my childrens’ sand durng the wake) – perfect no? Which beach do readers favour for this community purpose? I put forward Pezeries Point near the fairy ring at Pleinmont as a start – great surroundings, albeit without much sand.
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I quite like the idea of being washed up at Cobo and scaring all the holiday makers.
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Could always get tuned into a diamond?
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@Dean – just make sure you don’t get washed up on Vazon mate, you could be prosecuted for swimming in the surfing zone!!
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Burial?! You can keep it, I’m doing that ‘frozen in time’ thing.
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Love the previous comments; Easy answer, get buried standing up, why haven’t the parishes thought of that..you’d get at least two people to the size of one plot, maybe more.
I suppose the German tunnels could be turned into catacombs, St Saviours church could dig a shute straight down into the tunnels underneath…!!!!
@ Truth Man….you surely don’t mean you’re going to become a States Member..!!
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GregR:
For the first time in my life I’m going to say: LOL!
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