What Does A Green Funeral Director Do?

What began as a cemetery attendant position — an admittedly offbeat choice for a job while in college — has flourished into what Elizabeth Fournier considers her calling. Even when it became clear that her interest in the mortuary business was more than a passing phase, her friends never took her seriously.Now, some 19 years later, they ask me to bury their family members, she says.

I am honored to assist people during what can be the worst time of their lives. For me, helping families is a role consistent with the work of midwives and nurses, says Fournier, the sole proprietor of Cornerstone Funeral Services and Cremation in Boring, Oregon. Fournier’s contributions to her community are extremely meaningful. “That connection is what I love most about my work.”

So what does a green funeral director do? They incorporate environmentally friendly options to meet the needs of families who want a green service.

“A green funeral may include any or all of the following basic options: no embalming or embalming with formaldehyde-free products; the use of sustainable biodegradable clothing, shroud or casket; using recycled paper products, locally grown organic flowers, organic food; car pooling; arranging a small memorial gathering in a natural setting; or a natural or green burial,” says Fournier. “It’s a fabulous opening for an individual who is green-minded in all aspects of their work.”

You can contact Elizabeth here at: http://cornerstonefuneral.com