Q. Why would the Chevra Kadisha Society in Toronto refuse to prepare an orthodox woman because she is having an Eco Burial, but in the USA Eco Burials are allowed for Orthodox Jews and the Chevra Kadisha Org. will prepare Jews. It looks like Blackmail by the Society in Toronto re: Jewish Cemetery or no involvement by the Chevra Kadisha Society who claim to be Chessed. Blackmail is not Chessed.
A. An Eco-friendly burial, also called natural burial or green burial emphasizes simplicity and sustainability. In a typical green burial, the body is not cremated, prepared with chemicals, or buried in a concrete vault.
The un-embalmed remains are wrapped in a shroud made of natural, biodegradable fibers and then buried directly in the grave.
Alternatively, the shrouded remains can be placed into a casket or alternative form of container, where the casket or container is also made of sustainable and fully biodegradable materials.For green burial no outside grave liner or protective vault is used. The shrouded and/or casketed body is buried directly into the ground. (from GBSC.com).
I consulted with Mr. Mark Benjamin, director of Benjamin Memorial Chapel, Ms Dayan, administrator of Hebrew Basic Burial, and Ms Laura, funeral director of Steels Memorial Chapel, they all expressed that the common burial offered by their corresponding services coincides and concurs with the accepted definition of a green burial.
They explained that the 'Tachrichim' or shrouds they use are made from natural linen, silk or cotton and totally biodegradable.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that if the burial follows Halacha in all details, it is permitted.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller and Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit'a.
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