WSU Snohomish County Extension – Sustainable Community Stewards are thrilled to be offering this series with a focus on a variety of environmental sustainability education in areas including Waste Reduction, Proper Recycling, Zero Waste Life Hacks, Reducing Food Waste, Reducing Consumption and Plastic Use, plus Composting! We are equally thrilled to be partnering with our Waste Wise Program colleagues at WSU Island County Extension and our community partners at Sno-Isle Library on this series.

This month’s topic:
September 21st – Deathprint: Your Options with Beverly Tryk with People’s Memorial Association

Did you know that roughly 80% of Washingtonians choose cremation (vs only 52% nationally)? While the main concern families cite when selecting funeral arrangements is the cost, an increasing number of them express concerns over the environmental impact of their decisions. Many folks are concerned about the interaction of embalming fluid with soil or about the mercury released during a cremation.

Can our final gesture in life be a more environmentally supportive burial? What are the options? A lot of us have the environment on our mind, so it’s only natural to wonder what we can do with our final gesture to respect that planet that gave us so much in life. In this presentation you will learn the legal options that are now available to us outside of the conventional burial and cremation offerings. Washington state has recently approved both human composting and carbon-neutral aquamation (“green cremation”) options. In addition there are “green burials” (also known as natural burial) opportunities in some areas.

Green leaf with circle and People’s Memorial AssociationOur presenter, Beverly Tryk from People’s Memorial Association, strongly believes that there’s no right choice but an informed choice when selecting funeral arrangements. Join us as she gives us an overview of what the legal requirements are in WA, what the pros and cons of different funeral choices are, and what the future looks like for deathcare.

For more more information about the series, including speaker bios, and registration, please visit: https://extension.wsu.edu/snohomish/naturalresources/sustainable-community-stewards/sustainability-speakers-series/