Traditional burial methods in Western countries often involve embalming and other burial practices that harm the environment. Green burials skip embalming fluids or use eco-friendly alternatives to keep our water and soil a bit cleaner. 

Traditional Western burial practices such as embalming fluids, caskets, cremation, and entombment have significantly impacted the environment. Specifically, embalming fluids, which contain harmful chemicals can leach into the soil and groundwater. This can disrupt microbial ecosystems and contaminate the natural water table that we as people use daily. This literary research explores the environmental interaction and biochemistry of embalming fluids along with evaluating more sustainable burial alternatives. The findings of this research experience emphasize the need to move away from formaldehyde-based embalming techniques and move towards environmentally friendly alternatives like honey or pre-presentation refrigeration. By promoting awareness and integrating sustainable burial practices into everyday “life”, the combined carbon footprint could be reduced, and many public health risks can be mitigated.