The central ethical issue is should Judith follow the informal stated wishes of Grandpa Joe or opt for a lesser environmental impact body disposal choice? After researching and analyzing this case I have come up with the decision that Judith should give her Grandpa Joe a green burial. During my research, I have found many reasons why green burial is the wises decision for Judith to make. First reason, traditional burials and doing as Grandpa Joe wished to be buried would be too costly. The article State Funeral Regulations states, "Empirical studies find that state funeral regulations can increase consumer costs directly, by limiting competition or raising production costs or indirectly by facilitating funeral directors’ efforts …show more content…
In the article, Planning for the Disposal of the Dead, it states, “the burial process as a means of facilitating the acquisition, restoration and stewardship of natural areas." (Basmajian, "Planning For The Disposal Of The Dead.")This means that a green burial restores and preserves valuable nature the living needs to survive. Judith is not thinking about herself in this decision she is thinking about all the stakeholders involved.
Third reason, Judith should choose a green burial is because Grandpa Joe did not formal write a letter stating how he wanted to be buried. In the article, Letting the Dead Bury the Dead, it states, "Minnesota’s provisions are unusual in allowing someone to dictate the means and place of burial by any written instruction." This is exactly why Judith does not have to follow her grandpa's offhandedly mention burial wishes. She already does not believe in meeting the dead's request, and this gives her the right to do as she pleases. (Naguit, "Letting The Dead Bury The Dead.") …show more content…
First, it goes against her Grandpa Joe's burial wishes to be buried with his ancestors. Second, he would not get the same burial as his wife. Grandpa Joe's wife Ellen was cremated several years ago. Three, some green burial cemeteries do not allow family to mark the grave site. This would make it hard for the Grippen family member to visit their beloved Grandpa Joe grave site. Not every option is the perfect option; some have negatives to it, but you have to choose the one that best fits the