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Beyond The Grave: Legal Insights Into Your Final Wishes (Part 4)

  • washamjr
  • Oct 31
  • 6 min read
Metal pole with an old way sign and a new way sign

Introduction

In this final installment of Beyond the Grave, we explore the cultural, religious, and environmental factors that shape bodily disposition practices. Part 4 aims to give you a deeper understanding of the various disposition methods available today and highlight the direction in which end-of-life planning is moving—helping you make thoughtful, informed decisions about your final wishes.

 

Cultural and Religious Perspectives

Many people find that their faith or cultural background strongly shapes their preferences for the disposition of their remains. Religious beliefs and cultural traditions often guide decisions about which method of disposition feels most appropriate. Even if you don’t personally follow a religion or cultural practice, learning about these traditions can help you reflect on your own final wishes.

 

Within Judaism, burial in the earth remains the primary and most common practice for bodily disposition. Burial customarily takes place as soon as reasonably possible following death.[1] While ground burial is traditional, cremation may be permitted in some cases depending on the individual’s level of observance. [2]  Organ donation or donation to medical research is not prohibited and can often been seen as a good deed.[3] However, autopsies are generally not acceptable in Judaism as it is seen as desecrating the body.[4] 

 

In Christianity, practices surrounding bodily disposition vary among denominations. Traditional burial continues to be a widely observed custom, though cremation has become broadly accepted across most Christian faiths.[5] Within the Catholic Church, there remains some debate concerning organ donation, particularly regarding the acceptance of “brain death” as a medical definition, but in general, organ donation is approved across denominations. [6] 

 

In Islam, burial in the ground is the standard and most widely practiced form of disposition.[7] Generally, cremation is forbidden and considered an unclean practice.[8] Organ donation, however, is often viewed as consistent with Islamic teachings and is broadly accepted.[9] After the body is ritually washed and wrapped in simple cloth, it is brought to the mosque where community members gather to offer funeral prayers.[10] 

 

In Hinduism, cremation is the customary and most common form of disposition.[11] Traditionally, family members and close friends wash the body and hold a wake where hymns and mantras are recited before cremation.[12] Historically, cremations took place on the Ganges River in India, with the deceased’s family building a pyre for the ceremony.[13] Today, many crematories accommodate these traditions by allowing ceremonies before cremations and permitting guests to be present at the cremation.

 

Across nearly all faiths and cultural traditions, one shared value stands out—the deceased should be treated with dignity and reverence. For any questions about specific religious or cultural practices related to bodily disposition, it is best to consult a knowledgeable religious or community leader.

 

Green Disposition Methods

Several disposition methods discussed in Part 2 are becoming increasingly popular for their reduced environmental impact compared to traditional burial and cremation.

 

Green burial is a more natural, environmentally conscious disposition alternative to traditional burial. This method involves placing the body directly into the earth without embalming and using biodegradable materials.[14] While not a new concept, green burial was largely replaced by modern burial practices that include embalming, metal or hardwood caskets, and concrete vaults.

 

Another green method is alkaline hydrolysis or water cremation. This process uses water, alkaline chemicals, heat, and sometimes pressure to accelerate natural decomposition, producing bone fragments and a neutral liquid byproduct called effluent.[15] Some prefer alkaline hydrolysis to traditional burial or traditional cremation due to its lower energy consumption and overall lower carbon footprint.[16] 

 

Lastly, is human composition, a green disposition method yet to become legal in Oklahoma. Human composting is the process of laying the deceased to rest in a container that holds a temperature of 130°F to 160°F.[17] The container is filled with carbon-rich materials such as wood chips, along with beneficial bacteria, fungi, and protozoa to aid decomposition.[18] Once sealed, the process is monitored until the remains are fully transformed into nutrient-rich soil, which can then be used to grow plants or trees, offering loved ones a living memorial.[19] The entire process typically takes between 8 to 12 weeks.[20] While not legal in Oklahoma yet, there are companies that assist with transporting the deceased body to states where human composting is legal, thus human composting is still a disposition option for Oklahoma residents.

 

These eco-friendly approaches appeal to those who want to minimize waste and reduce their environmental footprint—even after death. However, they also present certain challenges. First, cost can be a deterrent for those seeking affordable arrangements. For instance, a company that helps Oklahoma residents with human composting services charges around $7,000, a price comparable to that of a traditional burial including funeral and graveside services.[21] Further, these green methods are not widely accepted in society, meaning there could be a greater risk of family dispute regarding disposition. Lastly, these green methods are not completely environmentally neutral. For example, alkaline hydrolysis receives criticism for its significant water consumption, which can be a concern for those areas facing water insecurity.[22] 

 

Despite these limitations, interest in green disposition methods continues to grow, and they may one day rival or even surpass traditional options.

 

Current and Future Trends

The landscape of bodily remains disposition continues to evolve, offering individuals more options for their final arrangements beyond the traditional burial or cremation.

 

Today, cremation has surpassed burial as the most common choice, with a 63.4% cremation rate versus a 31.6% traditional burial rate.[23] According to the National Funeral Directors Association’s 2025 Consumer Awareness and Preferences Report, 61.4% of respondents expressed interest in exploring green or environmentally friendly funeral options, an increase from 55.7% in 2021.[24] Interestingly, recent studies indicate that younger generations show a growing preference for traditional burial, suggesting these trends could shift again in the years to come.[25] Evolving preferences extend beyond disposition methods to how funerals themselves are conducted. A 2025 survey by Choice Mutual found that 45% of respondents are comfortable attending or hosting livestreamed funerals.[26] Additionally, about 40% expressed interest in creating or maintaining a digital memorial page where loved ones can share memories and pay tribute online.[27]

 

As options for bodily disposition and funeral practices continue to expand, staying informed about new trends and legislative developments is essential. For instance, in 2024, Oklahoma lawmakers introduced a bill proposing to recognize human composting as a legal form of disposition.[28] Oklahoma is also looking for ways to reduce the costs associated with final wishes. Senate Bill 559, which takes effect November 1, 2025, aims to reduce costs by allowing individuals and businesses to sell funeral merchandise directly to the public without requiring a full funeral director’s license or being a licensed funeral establishment.[29] This measure is designed to lower costs and increase consumer choice.[30]

 

Conclusion

While many religious and cultural traditions remain largely unchanged, the ways in which we handle bodily disposition continue to develop over time. As these practices shift, it’s essential to think carefully about your own preferences, document them clearly, and communicate them to those you love.

 

Choosing and expressing your final wishes is one of the most meaningful steps you can take, for both yourself and your family. Beyond the Grave has explored Oklahoma’s laws surrounding bodily disposition, the legally recognized methods available, how to preplan to ease your family’s burden, and what emerging trends may shape the future of disposition practices. The purpose of this series is to equip you with the legal insights and confidence to preplan and ensure that your choices are respected. Take the opportunity now to make those decisions for yourself, rather than leaving those decisions to others or to the state of Oklahoma


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[6] Id.

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[12] Id.

[13] Id.

[16] Id.

[18] Id.

[19] Id.

[21] Id.

[24] Id.

[27] Id.

 
 
 

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