"Archdiocese of Chicago begins offering ‘eco-friendly’ burial options"

"The Archdiocese of Chicago has unveiled the first 'eco-friendly' burial options in one of its cemeteries, citing a 'reflection of a growing environmental consciousness among Americans.'

Late last week, the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago announced the introduction of a 'natural burial option' which will offer 'eco-friendly interments.'

'We are honored to offer a new natural burial option that not only respects the environment but also aligns with Catholic teachings for treating the human body with dignity,' announced Ted Ratajczyk, executive director of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago. 'This initiative reflects our commitment to providing choices that honor the dignity of life, the needs of our community and the values of our faith,' he said.

Catholic Cemeteries Chicago writes on its website that 'natural burials forego harsh embalming fluids, traditional caskets, and outer burial containers in favor of biodegradable materials, organic fibers, and eco-friendly embalming techniques. This minimizes environmental impact while honoring the natural cycle of life and death.'

The purportedly 'eco-friendly' interment will provide 'families with new and meaningful ways to honor their loved ones,' the archdiocese stated, adding that it was the first Catholic diocese in the state of Illinois to offer such an option...

Chicago’s suggestion of 'green' burials is not new among U.S. Catholic dioceses...

In 2016, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s (CDF) document Ad resurgendum cum Christo continued the move away from the Church’s traditional condemnation of cremation, which has spread since the early 1960s."