The Original Green
Green Burial: A New Trend Rooted in Ancient Tradition
Around the world, more people are seeking meaningful and sustainable ways to honor life and return to the earth naturally. What many are now calling green burial has become a growing and heartfelt movement—one that values simplicity, care, and connection.
For the Jewish community, these ideas are beautifully familiar.
A Tradition of Simplicity
For centuries, our tradition has honored life by returning to the earth—plain, natural, and without excess. No embalming. No metal. Just wood, linen, and love.
A quiet return to the earth from which we came.
Today, the world calls this green burial.
We’ve called it—the way it should be.
“For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”
— Genesis 3:19
The Original Green
The modern conversation around sustainability has reached every corner of life, including how we say goodbye.
Families are searching for ways to live and leave in alignment with their values: less waste, more meaning, and a deeper connection to the world around them.
It’s a beautiful movement—but for the Jewish community, it’s not new. It’s memory.
The Jewish Way
This is not innovation.
It is our inheritance.
It is the Original Green.
Tradition Meets Relevance
At Chicago Jewish Funerals, we’ve quietly practiced this sacred sustainability for nearly thirty years.
Not because it’s fashionable, but because it’s faithful—to the teachings and values that define us.
While others are now discovering “eco-friendly” funerals, we’ve been providing them all along.
To us, they’re not a new category or an added option. They are what a Jewish burial has always been: respectful, natural, and profoundly human.
sustainability since 1997
Looking Forward by Looking Back
As interest in green burial grows, we welcome the conversation. It reminds us that the wisdom of our ancestors still holds power in modern times—that the most forward-thinking choice can sometimes be the oldest one.
Because in the end, the future of burial
may look a lot like its beginning.
Green Burial: A Jewish Tradition
“Green burial” has gained renewed attention as families seek simplicity, environmental responsibility, and a more natural return to the earth. In the Jewish community, however, these values are not new—they have been central to burial traditions for thousands of years.
Many practices now associated with green burial, such as avoiding embalming and using biodegradable caskets, have long been standard in traditional Jewish burial.
Why Traditional Jewish Burial Is Naturally Green
Traditional Jewish burial reflects deep respect for both the deceased and the natural world:
- No embalming — the body is not preserved with chemicals.
- Simple wooden casket — free of metal or synthetic materials.
- Natural decomposition — allowing the body to return to the earth.
- Preparation with dignity — carried out by the sacred volunteers of the chevra kadisha, who care for the deceased according to Jewish tradition.
These practices reflect a foundational teaching from Genesis: “For dust you are, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19), expressing the belief that life returns gently to the earth.
A Longstanding Tradition
At Chicago Jewish Funerals, we have guided families in this sacred tradition for nearly 30 years. What is often described today as “green burial” has always been a natural expression of Jewish law and values—emphasizing simplicity, dignity, and respect for the earth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Traditional Jewish burial avoids embalming, uses simple biodegradable caskets, and allows for natural decomposition—meeting many of the standards associated with green burial.
Biodegradable wooden caskets are not only permitted—they are the traditional Jewish standard: simple, plain, and free of metal or synthetic materials.
In many ways, yes. Traditional Jewish burial avoids embalming chemicals and relies on biodegradable materials. Individual cemetery policies and burial sections may vary.
Absolutely. Natural burial is fully consistent with Jewish law. In fact, Jewish tradition has long emphasized burial practices that are simple, dignified, and in harmony with the earth.
Your Choice. Your Tradition.
At Chicago Jewish Funerals, we respect each individual’s choice and practice, and we offer services across the full spectrum of funeral options.
To discover more about green burial or other options, contact one of our funeral directors—we’re here to listen, guide, and help you make the choice that feels right for you and your family.
Proud providers of the Original Green.