Green burials: Leave no trace

Inside the industry devoted to handling death in an ecologically sustainable way

By Quartz Staff

Humans have been burying their dead for at least 40,000 years. But in the last couple of centuries, especially in Western countries, the practice has become toxic: From embalming fluids to casket materials, burials can contaminate soil and groundwater, and endanger the health of funeral workers. Enter green burials, an option devoted to handling death in an ecologically sustainable way. Read the full transcript here or listen here.