A Solemn Funeral Home and Cremations Provider in Lafayette, CO
The Natural Funeral specializes in water cremation, green burial, and conventional flame cremation in Lafayette, CO. In 2019, We were awarded the Best New Business in the Boulder Weekly Survey. Make an appointment to learn about green burial, water cremation, flame cremation, or reverent body care. The Natural Funeral will be here whether you want to pre-plan or need our services immediately. You can call us at (720) 515-2344.
Holistic and Natural Resource Center for Funeral Home and Cremations in Lafayette, CO
Unfortunately, a great many of the acceptable death-care practices in our society are putting strain on our environment. Traditional burial has become the norm with toxic embalming of remains, grave vaults and liners (frequently plastic, fiberglass, or cement), and caskets made of many biologically unfriendly materials. All of our service options for funeral home and cremations in Lafayette, CO, are in alignment with more natural, holistic death-care philosophies.
The Natural Funeral was created to support individuals and families seeking information and services for eco-friendly final arrangements. With core values and ethics to guide our feet, we have built a collection of services and resources to serve our area. We are so pleased to offer a location filled with alternative solutions to impact the environment less with the deceased’s final disposition.
Our Types of Services Available – Funeral Home and Cremations in Lafayette, CO
Below is a sample of some of our services. More information is available at our center or on our website. We are honored to help with all of your needs regarding funeral homes and cremations in Lafayette, CO.
Water Cremation or Aquamation: A Gentler Approach
Aquamation or water cremation, also called alkaline hydrolysis, has been legal in Colorado for over ten years. Close to half of the states in our country can legally offer this, and more states are expected to follow. The procedure itself involves water, alkaline compounds, the deceased’s remains, and a gentle rocking chamber. Each cremation is handled individually and respectfully.
It creates conditions for the body to break down in a few hours. This process mimics nature and would happen over time with natural burial. The resulting remains create sterile, bioavailable fertilizer that can be donated to local farms. The skeletal remains can then be further processed into a sand-like substance similar to the ashes you would receive after flame cremation.
Flame Cremation: Reducing the Body to Basic Elements
Flame cremation is better known and has been legal in the United States for much longer than water cremation. For families electing flame cremation, rest assured the process is also individual and very secure. The body is placed in a flammable container and in a combustion chamber. High temperatures are applied, and the contents within the space are consumed therein.
After the cremation, all remaining elements are collected and made uniform in size. These particles (“ashes”) are then given back to the next of kin. If the family wishes, it may be possible to witness the body being placed in the cremation chamber.
Reverent Body Care: Honoring the Body
Reverent Body Care is our environmentally sound process for preparing the deceased prior to their burial or cremation. We do not encourage or offer embalming at our center. Reverent Body Care is our excellent alternative. It can feel ceremonial and be a healing experience for families if desired. Gentle washing with holistic products and anointing with pure essential oils are followed by dressing the deceased in burial clothes.
Wakes or Home Vigils: Paying Respects with Families and Friends
Our staff encourages and supports home wakes and vigils to pay last respects and hold space for one another as a bereaved company. This simple, unfettered process can help those grappling with this loss. A vigil may be held at home or in our beautiful, naturally decorated chapel space.
Memorial Services: A Dignified Farewell for Loved Ones
Memorial services are fitting for many of the families that we serve. Generally, memorial services do not have the physical body of the deceased present. We have the capability to support these services both in person and/or by including a digital audience through Zoom video streaming.
Natural Burial/Green Burial – An Eco-friendly Choice In Lafayette, CO
Green or natural burial has been growing in popularity and awareness. Even if you decide to bury your deceased in a more conventional cemetery, there are options to support a greener burial. For example, traditional embalming is generally not a requirement at mainstream cemeteries. You’ll likely be required to purchase a vault or grave liner but can often use a burial shroud or biodegradable casket within.
Green and natural cemeteries are becoming more available. As with general cemeteries, strict rules often exist to allow interment in one of these sites. Actual green or natural burial involves no embalmed bodies, grave liners, or vaults. The deceased must be contained within an earth-friendly burial shroud or a compostable casket. Vegetation typically is less manicured, with natural and native plant life taking precedence.
Local artists provide many of our funerary products. We carry many aesthetically pleasing and well-made items to support your specific needs. These include naturally earth-friendly caskets and unique urns.
Terramation (Body Composting): Natural Reduction of the Body
Terramation, also known as Body Composting or Natural Reduction, is our latest eco-friendly service designed for those who wish to leave a gentle, loving impact on the earth. This method converts human remains into nutrient-rich soil through a natural process. The body is placed in a sheltered, environmentally-controlled vessel where microbial activity gradually transforms it over several months. The vessel’s temperature naturally rises, ensuring the contents are sterilized and stabilized during the conversion. Once complete, approximately one cubic yard of soil remains, which can be returned to families or donated to farms.
Planning Ahead: A Thoughtful Way to Prepare for the Unevitable
Pre-planning a funeral service can provide peace of mind and alleviate the burden on loved ones. By planning ahead, individuals can ensure that their wishes are honored and that their family is spared the stress of making arrangements during a time of grief. Our pre-planning services offer a thoughtful and considerate way to prepare for the future, allowing individuals to make informed decisions about their final arrangements.
Contact Our Holistic Funeral Coordinators at The Natural Funeral
All of your needs surrounding natural death care, funeral home and cremations in Lafayette, CO, can be supported through The Natural Funeral. With convenient access at 102 W Chester St, Lafayette, CO 80026, stop by or call (720) 515-2344 to make an appointment.
Funeral & Cremation FAQ’s
What is the Process of Aquamation?
- Aquamation uses an alkaline hydrolysis procedure in which a body is immersed in a stainless-steel vat containing a 200°F (93°C) potassium-hydroxide-and-water solution for four hours until only the skeleton remains. Water cremation turns the body’s tissues and cells into a watery molecule solution, essentially dissolving the body and leaving only the bones behind.
Does the Body Feel Pain During Cremation?
- When someone dies, they lose their ability to feel anything, so they don’t feel any pain. If they question about cremation, you should clarify that their body is placed in a very warm room and converted into soft ashes, emphasizing that it is a quiet, painless procedure.
What Do You Know About Green Burial Practices?
- Green burial highlights environmental preservation and simplicity. No chemicals, including embalming fluids, are used to prepare the body. It is simply wrapped in a biodegradable shroud or coffin and buried without the use of a concrete vault. The burial site has been permitted to revert to its natural state.
