PART 4

     The last, but most major point of improvement is the change in the mass burial process. A new burial approach should be low cost, above ground in order to fight floods, and most significantly, have little to no negative effect on Hart Island’s already endangered environment. 
Green burials are one approach to this problem that checks most of these boxes. While green burials by themselves are not above ground and do not leave room for disinterment if families wish to do so, they do have an extensive list of benefits. Green burials must meet a list of requirements including “caring for the dead with minimal environmental impact that aids in the conservation of natural resources, reduction of carbon emissions, protection of worker health, and the restoration and/or preservation of habitat” (Green). They slip in perfectly with Hart Island’s transformation to a park as many green burials have turned into “park land[s] in addition to their role as a final resting place” (Ashworth). They also fix the issue of spacing since in this world, “physical space is at a premium [and] green burials could prove to be a viable solution to this pressing need for space in urban areas by freeing up land that would otherwise be reserved for body internment purposes” (Ashworth). Green burials would also force the department with authority to have a funeral director present as per New York law (Komen) who “must be paid and [might] [enforce] certain traditional burial customs” (The Pros). Despite these pros, green burial by itself is not an excellent choice. It would be underground, meaning these bodies are more susceptible to the eroding shoreline. But, a combination with a tumulus could provide a perfect solution. 
     A tumulus is an above-ground mound that can be adapted to different mass burial techniques. Combining tumulus with green burials and forestry could provide us with the most appropriate solution in terms of environmental health, respect and reverence, and price. Although preservation may present an issue, “where forests have covered mounds there is better preservation” (Knopf). Therefore, the plausible solution here would be to combine green burials with tumulus burials in some forestry atmosphere to provide the best possible resolution to an alternative mass burial approach. 
     In addition to creating a green tumulus, one could enhance these burials even further with Capsula Mundi or tree burials. Capsula Mundi fits the criteria of green burials and can be placed in an above-ground tumulus while taking the environmental aspect one step further. A Capsula Mundi would place the corpse or its ashes into a “biodegradable plastic shell [that] breaks down and provide nutrients to a sapling planted right above it” (Erizanu). Now, we have a green burial on an above-ground mound with trees planted in it, providing the mounds with the forestation needed to maintain and preserve them.
      This is environmentally favorable as well as a great way to stop the appearance of bones where shorelines have been receding. Having great mounds where nature can flourish out is also respectful as New York would not be permitting  those who end up in potters fields become thrown into underground, dark and sullen trenches, but rather have the deceased sprout into life again through fresh, green trees. Trees could have plaques with the names of the deceased so as to have a small memorial for those who are forgotten, or in some cases not. 
Hart Island could take many different paths. It could end up doing good by the New Yorkers who lost family members or by the critical environment, or it could end up a filthy tourist attraction with corporate factories blowing clouds of pollution into the atmosphere. Wherever Hart Island goes though, Hart Island must change its burial techniques, its visitor policy, and its whole view on this potter’s field.