Thursday, September 21, 2023

5 Ways to Bring the Planet Into Your Estate Planning

Share

Estate planning can help make your passing easier for your loved ones. And it can also be easier for the planet you leave behind, according to estate attorneys at Koza Law Group.

“Eco-friendly estate planning goes beyond providing for our loved ones,” Bobby Kouretchian of Koza Law Group, a Southern California law firm. “It also considers the impact our life and death may have on the planet.”

Koza wants people to consider the impact they can have as their final act through responsible estate planning.

“When selecting an estate planning attorney, select one who considers the impact they have on the planet,” Koza says.

By following these tips, you can create an estate plan that reduces your environmental impact and ensures that your wishes are carried out in an environmentally responsible way.

1. Donate to environmental causes

“One of the most effective ways to reduce the environmental impact of your estate is to donate a portion of your assets to environmental causes,” says Kouretchian. “This can include organizations that work to protect natural habitats, promote renewable energy, or support sustainable agriculture.”

2. Choose an eco-friendly burial

Traditional burial practices are harmful to the environment due to the use of embalming fluids and non-biodegradable caskets. “Consider a natural burial, which involves using a biodegradable casket or shroud, and burying the body in a natural setting without embalming,” Kouretchian says.

shroud
Courtesy The Good Funeral Guide | Unsplash

3. Consider a green funeral service

Similar to a natural burial, a green funeral may also include other eco-friendly elements, “such as using recycled paper products for the funeral program, using locally sourced flowers, and encouraging guests to carpool or use public transportation to reduce carbon emissions.”

4. Consider the environmental impact of your estate’s assets

“When creating your estate plan, consider the environmental impact of your assets,” says Kouretchian. “For example, if you own a large amount of stock in a company that has a poor environmental record, you may want to consider divesting from that stock and perhaps choosing a more earth-friendly investment.”

5. Encourage your heirs to be eco-friendly

Kouretchian says it’s a good idea to encourage your heirs to be friendly to the environment. “This can include setting up a trust that incentivizes your heirs to be mindful of the environment, or perhaps leaving a bequest to an environmental organization in their name.”

Related on Ethos:

Related

Carbon Offsetting Has Been Criticized for Years. A New Report Finds the Top 50 Programs ‘Likely Junk’.

A new report finds the top 50 carbon offset programs are highly problematic — with nearly 80 percent "likely junk."

New Carbon Offset Coalition Relies on Indigenous Knowledge: ‘This Fills a Major Gap’

As New York Climate Week gets underway, the People’s Forests Partnership has announced the Equitable Earth Coalition aimed at stopping and reversing deforestation and biodiversity loss via efforts to standardize the voluntary carbon market.

Sephora, Credo Urge EPA to Enforce Natural and Eco Label Claims: ‘Make It Easier for Consumers’

A coalition of 39 businesses, NGOs, and investors have sent a letter urging the EPA to expand the scope of its Safer Choice eco-certification program to encompass beauty and personal care products.

How Do You Solve a Problem Like the Textile Waste Crisis?

It’s no secret that fast fashion is bad for our planet. It contributes to everything from water pollution to deforestation to carbon emissions. And there’s another big problem with the amount of clothing we’re producing: mountains and mountains of waste. 

Dear Plant Lovers: Here’s How to Start a Floristry Business from Home

Turn your plant obsession into a real profession by starting a floristry business from home. Here's how to do it sustainably.