‘Green burials’ gaining in popularity

CLEVELAND (AP) — Environmentally conscious baby boomers are driving the growing popularity of “green” burials, in which dry ice or refrigeration replaces formaldehyde, or a wood casket replaces a concrete vault.

Green burials are “the next big thing,” after an increase in the popularity of cremation over the last 25 years or so, said Rick Bissler, a funeral operator in Kent who has expressed interest in developing space for the burials.

“Green burials is just responding to what people want,” he said.

In a recent AARP survey of people 50 and older, one-fifth of respondents said they would be very interested or interested in green burial techniques.

For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Vindicator or vindy.com.