Farewell Options

Kindred Spirits Pet Services

Dr. Kellie Barrett

Summary

Kindred Spirits is a local, family-owned pet care practice that offers compassionate end-of-life options for our beloved, furry companions.

Dr. Kellie Barrett and her team will provide holistic support as you contemplate your pet’s end-of-life care plan, including offering the loving option for in-home euthansia and even an aftercare option – Aquamation. *Kindred Spirits was the first company in Arizona to provide this gentler and more natural, after-death service.

You will find out more about their mission, what they offer and Dr. Barrett’s extensive end-of-life experience & training on their website.

I encourage you to contact them as you find yourself in a place where you and your pet need honest and compassionate end-of-life guidance.

The Home Funeral Alliance

Did you know that Home Funerals are allowed and legal in every state? It’s true… And all funerals used to be held in homes, where family and friends prepared and cared for their people after-death until burial or other after-death arrangements were complete.

Summary

This website is a wonderful resource for information on what home funerals entail, such as guidelines and requirements, as well as connecting you to a home funeral guide or officiant in your state or local region.

Green Burial Council

Many people are not aware that natural burials, or green burials, are allowed in every state though not all states have providers who offer natural options. This website is an excellent resource for green or natural burial information.

Summary

A green or natural burial is when burial takes place without embalming, traditional caskets or vaults – the body is usually wrapped in biodegradable shroud, covering or casket and placed directly into the ground for natural decomposition. In this way, our bodies return to the earth without preservatives and become of the earth again.

There are three types of Green Burials – hybrid (a section in a traditional cemetery for green burials), natural (a cemetery dedicated to natural burials only) and conservation (a land trust or preserve that is dedicated to natural burials).

According to the Green Burial Council, burials in the United States alone use about nearly 5 million gallons of embalming fluid, tens of millions of feet of hard wood, millions of tons of concrete and tens of thousands of tons of metals each year. In addition to the cost of these items, they also pose potential environments issues as materials begin to break down, or don’t break down, over time.

The Marana Mortuary & Cemetery is the only option for hybrid green burial services in southern AZ. Neighboring states do offer green burial options in natural cemeteries and land preserves, and if you are interested, I will assist in connecting you to a resource that may be equipped to provide the type of natural burial you hope to have.

Recompose – Human Composting

Katrina Spade, Founder & CEO

Recompose uses a process called natural organic reduction to transform human remains into soil. This soil can then be used to regenerate the earth that supports us our whole lives.

Summary

Earth Funeral offers a similar option in parts of southern Arizona. Check the zip codes on their website for services in your area.
https://earthfuneral.com/tucson-az/

See what Recompose is all about with Caitlin Dougherty of Orderofthegooddeath.com and @AskAMortician