PUBLIC AWARENESS OF AND ATTITUDES TOWARD GREEN BURIAL: AN EXPLORATION OF MESSAGING INTERVENTIONS TO INCREASE ACCEPTANCE OF NATURAL BURIAL PRACTICES

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Master of Environmental Studies (MES)
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Environmental Studies
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green burial
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2023
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Emily G. Maroni
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Abstract

Green burial (or natural burial) is a method of caring for the dead that seeks to have a lower impact on the environment and human health than cremation or conventional burial, which involves an embalmed body in an ornate casket buried within an impermeable concrete or metal grave liner. The main characteristics of green burial, as defined in this study, is that it is done without embalming, in a biodegradable casket or shroud, and without a grave liner. This project aims to establish an independent baseline to inform future research and communication around green burial and determine what types of framing are most effective and among which populations. An online A/B test survey of 3 sets of educational materials (control, environmental frame, and cost frame) was conducted among 1,441 U.S. adults revealed no statistically significant effect between the different message frames. The survey did reveal a positive association between both age and previous awareness and likelihood to consider green burial, as well as a relationship between religion and willingness to consider the option, specifically among Muslim respondents. Both the quantitative and qualitative survey data highlight the many factors impacting awareness of and attitudes toward green burial and the need for advocates of the practice to carefully consider and tailor their approach.

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Winneg, Ken
Kostick, Heather
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2023
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