Latest news with #TimGossling
The Guardian
30-07-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Green burials – the biodegradable alternative
For those who find the idea of burning their deceased friend's body distasteful ('The delivery man arrived with the ashes in a gift bag' – why are so many people opting out of traditional funerals?, 23 July), an alternative to direct cremation is a green burial, which costs more but not excessively so. Here, the grave is not permanent, and everything that goes in it has to be biodegradable – this rules out embalming. Coffins must be made of cardboard or untreated wood – woven willow is becoming very popular. No permanent memorial is allowed, but usually a wooden plaque can be added, which will last for several years if oiled. Natural wildflowers can often be planted, but vases cannot be used. Woodland burial sites often have a pavilion that can be used for a parting ceremony. A grave will presumably last for several years before being reused – long enough for friends and relatives to visit, until memory GosslingCambridge Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
The Guardian
23-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Guardian
Not eating meat is the choicest cut of all
It's easy for meat lovers to trim costs without compromising on flavour (Money hacks, 19 May). Just stop buying it. You will be wealthier and healthier, and so will the environment. Your food will also taste better knowing that no animal has suffered. Time for the Guardian to stop supporting the most greedy industry on the Stewart-KnoxProfessor of food psychology, University of Bradford Tim Dowling's column was very disturbing as I was expecting the delivery of my granddaughter's tortoise for its holiday (The tortoise has been plotting his escape for more than half a century, 17 May). She has had it since she was about six years old. I am 76 years old and now have a heavy responsibility to keep it enclosed and to provide shelter from the rain expected later in the HarrisonBedford A white stripe on the back of an errant tortoise will certainly make it easier to spot. Better still is to paint its home postcode and house number, for easier return. Postage stamp GosslingCambridge 'I fought off a polar bear with a saucepan,' says the headline on Pen Hadow's article (Experience, 16 May). But what was the polar bear doing with the saucepan in the first place?Melanie van NiekerkAlva, Clackmannanshire Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
