City Considers Burials In Egg Cartons, Wicker Baskets

Colorado Springs To Consider 'Green Burials'

POSTED: 7:06 am MDT August 11, 2008

UPDATED: 11:05 am MDT August 11, 2008

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The Colorado Springs City Council is considering a proposal to offer "green burials" at the city's two cemeteries. The burials would consist of bodies being put in bags, wicker baskets or egg-carton boxes. City officials said the approach would be less expensive than traditional burials. According to the proposal, the city would also cut its costs because such burials would require no watering or sprinkler systems for the plots and minimal mowing. The proposal is being considered Monday as council members try to build new product lines and services for the Evergreen and Fairview cemeteries.

City officials said the cemeteries would need $3.5 million in equipment and improvements.