Also in keeping with green burial requirements and Jewish custom, the caskets we use are entirely made of wood. There is no metal in the caskets, and they are designed to return entirely to the earth, completing the cycle of life. At Levinson’s, we use North American casket companies, and some of the caskets are made as close as Pennsylvania. There is a wide range of choices of wood, including wood from faster-growing trees like pine and poplar, and several of the caskets we offer are unfinished (unvarnished) in keeping with green burial practices.
When purchasing cemetery plots, green burial practices should be taken into careful consideration. Many cemeteries in Maryland require the use of an outer burial container (also known as a vault) and require the placement of a stone monument or flat marker. The reason cemeteries have a vault requirement is to support the earth above the grave so it does not settle significantly, which causes the grave to sink and puts the monument at risk of tipping. At some cemeteries, the minimum requirement may be a concrete liner, which is porous and has holes in it. Our funeral directors can help discuss your preferences and guide you to a cemetery that meets your wishes.
If you have questions about how we might be able to help ensure you have an environmentally-friendly green burial, please do not hesitate to
contact us
with questions.