Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright © 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Burial, Cremation, and The Environment Deciding between cremation or burial can be a tricky choice for just about anyone. Though the ritual of cremation has existed for a long time, it still has way to go before it can be considered truly safe. “[For] some people, I bet that’s part of it,” says Nora Menkin, executive director of the Seattle-based People’s Memorial Association, which helps people choose end-of-life options. One of the best ways the average person can lessen their impact on the environment with regards to funerals is by choosing cremation. All rights reserved, according to the National Funeral Directors Association, creative things you can do with a loved one’s ashes. People can ask for more eco-friendly funerals when opting for the cremation option. The answer is simple: traditional burial is still the norm, and these practices, from formaldehyde embalming to the materials used to manufacture coffins, are not friendly to the environment. Ecotourism could help the ‘Amazon of North America’ recover. The truth is that they are. All rights reserved. Cremation is a popular alternative to burial but it also impacts negatively on the environment. Hindus believe cremation on the banks of the Ganges River frees the soul from the cycle of death and rebirth. Cremation can be eco-friendly if done properly. Cremation is a less expensive choice when compared to burial. However, these filters do not neutralize the CO2 generated by cremating a body, including the gas generated as a by-product of heating that body up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit or more. The Environmental Impact of Cremation April 11th, 2013. Now it’s being found everywhere on earth, including the oceans. Though there has been some resistance to this non-traditional method, Garg says, people are more open to the Mokshda system now than they were in the 1990s. Matthews estimates that one cremation produces an average of 534.6 pounds of carbon dioxide. “Most filtration systems are focused on reducing metals and particulate matter and nitrous oxide,” says Paul Seyler, the marketing division manager for Matthews Environmental Solutions, which manufactures cremation technology. More than 150,000 cremations have taken place on Mokshda pyres in India, saving more than 480,000 trees, averting about 60,000 metric tons of ash from rivers, and releasing 60,000 fewer metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, according to program officer Chitra Kesarwani. Even comparing the carbon footprint of cremation against burial is difficult – initially cremation is perhaps five times more polluting, but the long-term maintenance of a … This includes: 1. carbon monoxide 2. sulfur dioxide 3. fine soot, and 4. mercury emissions (which might be the most concerning) So is cremation or burial more environmentally friendly? Unauthorized use is prohibited. An urn takes up less space than a full casket when buried. During the cremation process, toxic chemicals are released into our air. Cremation, during which remains are burned at 1,562°F (850°C), comes with its own problems. Cremation wastes a lot of electricity and energy and pollutes the environment. As cremation becomes more common, people around the world are seeking greener end-of-life options. However, if you chose a burial style funeral, there are still things you can do to reduce the environmental impact. And a lot of sewer systems actually appreciate it, because it actually helps with the quality of the wastewater.”. Cremation—along with these creative ways to honor the dead—is often marketed as a more environmentally friendly option than traditional embalmment and casket burial. Over the past four years, cremations have surpassed burials as the most popular end-of-life option in the United States, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. In these structures, the “pyre” is a metal tray heated with firewood. A growing body of research, however, has found that while cremation may not be as environmentally damaging as full-service burial, standard cremations in most crematorium retorts require the burning of natural gas, and therefore the release of greenhouse gases, as well as the vaporization of other chemicals that may be present in the cremated body, such as mercury used in amalgam dental fillings, … And the process creates a lot of organic liquid that has some very practical uses. The solution isn’t complicated: Throw them away. The average U.S. cremation, for instance, “takes up about the same amount of energy and has the same emissions as about two tanks of gas in an average car,” Menkin says. According to the research of University of Melbourne professor Roger Short, the process can create up to 350 lb. Regional environmental regulations mean that most U.S. crematoriums have scrubbing or filtering systems, such as after-chambers that burn and neutralize pollutants like mercury emissions from dental fillings. Coroners face hazards during each cremation they work with, and there are many environmental hazards that can develop in crematoriums as well. Why a whale's world is a world of sound, Video Story, Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright © 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. With respect to the possibility that any element in human remains that would be harmful to the environment as a result of cremation it seems the response is no. The rich mineral concentrations in cremated remains can also have a bad effect on the soils and eventually on the plants. 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But while it’s true that cremation is less harmful than pumping a body full of formaldehyde and burying it on top of concrete, there are still environmental effects to consider. The Regulations also prohibit the use of plastics, fiberglass, foam, Styrofoam, rubber, PVC and Zn in funeral containers to reduce harmful emissions. Cremation should be made illegal in Chinese-speaking countries. In an age when all of us are looking for ways to reduce our impact on the environment, cremation … “So, it’s almost less than one fourth of the wood requirement,” Garg says. This is due to the fact that the pH level of the cremated ashes is extremely high and will not allow for the natural release of the good nutrients within the cremated ashes. It is time that the funeral industry rethinks its role in protecting our planet. Unlike burial, cremation uses much less harmful chemicals to the environment as the process of embalming is not necessary. While cremation is less harsh on the environment than traditional burial, the process is still noxious. There is no evidence that the disposal of human ashes in rivers and streams can have a negative impact on the environment; however, the non-biodegradable items like metal and plastic can cause damage. Given this figure, Seyler estimates that cremations in the U.S. account for about 360,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions each year. But with more end-of-life options becoming widely available, it’s getting a bit easier to go from ashes to ashes while still being green. However, there are alternative options that are Eco-friendly body disposa… Even though there are many regulations to make cremation less harmful, the process can still be damaging to the environment. Crematorium furnaces combust at very high temperatures, 1590-1797 degrees Fahrenheit or 870 - 980 degrees Celsius, and it takes at least an hour to incinerate the body. Cremation has become a more popular alternative to burial. And across the U.S., it’s legal to opt for a so-called natural burial, in which the body is allowed to decompose in the ground without added chemicals, concrete, or synthetic materials. Cremated remains are naturally alkaline and salty, since they contain high levels of phosphorus (calcium phosphate) and sodium.1 Although plants need phosphates, calcium, potassium, and sodium – the levels of these nutrients in cre… In the U.S., by contrast, all cremations happen indoors at crematoriums. New research on Indian jumping ants shows they can undergo dramatic reversible changes previously unknown in insects. In the future, we’ll probably see many more alternatives to cremation. What happens to street animals when tourists suddenly disappear? With 55 million people putting their end-of-life plansinto action each year, it’s easy to gather hard statistics on how those choices affect the planet. The Ganges: Cremation Fires Burn in Sacred City. At the same time, companies have been springing up touting creative things you can do with a loved one’s ashes, such as pressing them into a vinyl record, using them to create a marine reef, or having them compressed into diamonds. New clues rule out one theory. Actually, it isn’t. Additionally, the process of cremation can be even safer for the environment through what is known as green cremation. This requires cutting down millions of trees, and the practice contributes to air and river pollution since most pyre cremations occur near water. This includes the burial of bodies in biod… “Some facilities capture the liquid, and it’s taken away and it’s used on some farmland; it’s an excellent fertilizer,” Menkin says. Alkaline hydrolysis “has about a tenth of the carbon footprint of conventional cremation,” Menkin says. Since 1992, the nonprofit Mokshda Green Cremation System has been trying to curb this pollution by giving communities access to more fuel-efficient structures for funerary rites. However, cremation is not without an impact on the environment and as a result 'Green Burials' are now looked into as a further alternative. The system also lowers the amount of wood needed from about 880 to 1100 pounds for a conventional cremation to 220 to 330 pounds. There are many dangers associated with crematoriums, however. As you read, they both have there a negative effect on the planet we live on. In the U.S., by contrast, all cremations happen indoors at crematoriums. The caskets used for cremation are also usually very basic, use very minimal resources and chemicals to be made, and can be very eco-friendly. In Chinese funeral, Cremation is considered as barbaric, Unclean and inhuman act. This fish stuck in a disposable glove is a warning about the risks of COVID-19 litter, ‘Tiger King’ stars’ face scrutiny in court, How scientists found 'Nemo,' Australia's newest dancing spider, These ants can shrink and regrow their brains. Cremation, though considerably cheaper than traditional burial, is equally environmentally harmful, perhaps even worse. It’s also easier to transition from one cremation to another by removing the metal tray filled with ash and replacing it with a new tray containing the next body. Thanks for your comment about how cremation is good for the environment because it doesn’t need a casket or the use of concrete. Cremation produces lesser environmental damage than the traditional in-ground burial. This year, Washington State became the first in the U.S. to legalize a type of corpse composting called natural organic reduction, or recomposition. “But most places, it just goes into the municipal sewer system. Despite their less-than-stellar green credentials, rates of cremation are rising fast in the U.S., in part because people are looking for less environmentally harmful options. In order to understand the methodology behind green burial of cremated remains, it’s helpful to understand the chemical makeup of cremated remains (otherwise known as “cremains” or “ashes”). Ultimately, people have to take into account many factors when making funerary preparations, such as how much a certain option costs, whether it aligns with religious and cultural practices, and whether it’s available in a given area. As cremation rises in popularity, some people wonder if the ashes are safe to keep in their homes. Please be respectful of copyright. Through extensive research performed by an independent lab, we learned that burying ashes in concentrated amounts will have harmful effects on the environment. A greener cremation takes additional steps to make the process more eco-friendly. How to breed a climate resilient sunflower? Over the years, all that organic and toxic material breaks down, seeping into the underground water supply. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of cremation. In addition, Garg says, the nonprofit has received inquiries from other countries in Africa and Asia about making their pyre cremations greener. From singing competitions to food preferences, scientists are learning whales have cultural differences once thought to be unique to humans. Eco-friendly cremations (also known as eco-cremations and natural cremations) require no harmful chemicals like those used in the embalming process. The particular impact of an individual cremation depends on where and how it’s performed. With cremation rates rising to 53.1% in the US, people have strong concerns about the effect on the environment. Sylvia Earle and marine scientists work to protect our oceans’ ecosystem. Here's how we'll cope. Look to its ancient cousins. Cremation uses a tremendous amount of fossil fuels, and releases toxins—including mercury—into the air. Why Conventional Burial is so Harmful for the Environment. Cremation should be forbidden because it is dehumanizing, Cruel and harmful to the environment. Sometimes known as water cremation or aquamation, this way of dissolving a body in water is now legal in at least 18 states. Sarcophagi burn during a traditional Hindu mass cremation event on August 18, 2013, in Bali, Indonesia. This misconception probably is caused by environmental opposition to embalming and metal caskets. Starting in 2020, this process will convert bodies into useful soil that friends and family can either use or donate to the state’s Puget Sound region. The choice of what to do with our bodies when we die is ours, but an $18 billion funeral industry and a cultural fear of death have kept us at arms' length from the event. 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