The Carbondale City Council met last week, where they discussed a possibility of having natural burials, which would involve biodegradable materials and no chemicals. The process was discussed in altering their current code for Oakland Cemetery in town. Southern Illinois funeral director Samuel Perry provided information from the Green Burial Council, with the council setting their standards for natural burials. He continued by saying how they will, “provide legitimate environmental and societal aims.” Natural burials use no chemicals, such as formaldehyde, to preserve a body. Biodegradable caskets are used and placed directly in the ground with no vault. Typically such graves are not even permanently marked. Public Works Director Sean Henry says that the Oakland Cemetery averages about 70 burials a year, and has room for about 200 more years. He says that a closed portion could be used for natural burials.