Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:41 pm
Would you like to plant a grave while taking care of the environment? We give you tips on native plants, ecological potting soil and sustainable grave decorations.
Planting a grave: These plants are suitable
If you want to plant a grave, there are a few things you can do to protect the environment. Many floral arrangements or cut flowers have a poor ecological balance because they are contaminated with pesticides, are made of plastic or have long transport routes behind them.
A cemetery provides a habitat for many creatures. Therefore, keep the following tips in mind:
- Prefer native and insect-friendly plants.
- For uncomplicated care, long-standing and hardy plants are also recommended. These include bellflowers, ivy and lilies.
For potting soil, it is best to buy peat-free soil. Peat extraction releases a high amount of CO2, which is why peaty soil has a poor carbon footprint. In addition, peat bogs are important habitats for many animals and plants.
Tips for sustainable grave decoration
When planting a grave, however, you should not only look for low-maintenance, native and insect-friendly plants. Sustainable grave decorations are just as important. Otherwise, these are often made of plastic and have only a short lifespan. We show you alternatives with which you not only do something good for the environment, but can also design the grave beautifully:
- Grave arrangements made of natural materials: On special occasions, such as on the Sunday of the dead or on All Saints’ Day, many surviving relatives decorate the graves of loved ones with grave arrangements. These are not always ideal, as they contain plastic decorations or exotic plants. Better are grave arrangements made from untreated natural materials, such as straw wreaths, fir branches or pine cones.
- Sustainable grave lights: many grave lights are in plastic packaging or are battery operated. Neither is very sustainable. More ecological and long-lasting are solar-powered or refillable grave lights in a jar.