This video is great in exposing the environmental damage of modern American burials. It includes several eye-opening statistics, including numbers on toxic chemicals, concrete use, and land use.
Additional Prerequisites
You may have to watch an ad before the video.
Be mindful of approaching the subject of death with your students. Be sensitive to students who may have lost a loved one recently.
Differentiation
English or science students could watch this video and write a paragraph outlining how they would like their bodies handled after they are deceased.
Social studies or geography students could use Google Maps to see how much space cemeteries take up in their neighborhoods. One discussion question to ask: "What else could the space be used for if it weren't used as a cemetery?"