Alternatives to the Cremation Process

Alternatives to cremation are becoming greener and more creative.

What happens to the body after we have gone is a subject many people find unpalatable but, in times when burial plots are scarce and expensive, more people are opting for cremation. The alternatives to cremation are innovative, environmentally friendly and offer a fresh perspective on how to treat the body after death.

Green Burial

Increasingly, society worries about carbon emissions and a cremation actually produces considerable dioxide. A green burial uses a coffin made from recycled material and is buried in a shallow grave which has been hand-dug. A green burial is performed as quickly as possible after the death as embalming is not permitted and refrigeration wastes energy. A green burial usually takes place in natural woodland, a tree can be planted on top of the grave to give oxygen and new life and as a remembrance. There are many natural burial grounds in the U.S.; contact the Green Burial Council (GBC) for more information.

Resomation

Resomation is a natural, eco-friendly alternative cremation. The process right up to the coffin disappearing from view is exactly the same as cremation. The coffin is then placed in a special chamber and instead of fire, water and alkali are used. this acts like a quick decomposition and takes about the same time as a normal cremation. Resomated ash can then be placed in an urn and taken away as with a normal cremation. The only difference is that the resomation ash will be pure white in color. Resomation is not widely used and you will need to check where this method is being used or whether you can use resomation specialists at the funeral. Resomation is legal in three states (as of January 2011).

Donate Your Body To Science

If you want to help advancements in medical science and for your loved ones to not have to pay for a funeral, which could costs thousands of dollars, donating your body to science is the perfect way to go. Cadavers are used in education and research and to test out new surgical techniques and equipment. Donating your whole body to a body donation program is different from just donating your organs, where the family would still cremate or bury the body of their loved one. Whole body donation programs exist across the United States. If you are interested in donating your body, find a program close to you and ensure that you have made your wishes clear to your loved ones so they can be carried out after your death.

Promession

Promession is a process involving placing the body in liquid nitrogen. The body is deep frozen and vibrations from an ultrasound machine reduce the body to course powder. About 60 lbs. of powder is left,which can then be buried in the ground. As no chemicals or harmful embalming fluids have been used this is a good green alternative to cremation. The powder will break down in the ground and, within less than a year, turn into living soil. A tree or bush can be placed on top of the burial place for remembrance. As of February 2011, this process is not available in the United States but the inventor of the process, Swedish biologist Susanne Wiigh-Masak, is in talks with funeral and cremation services in America to bring the service to the U.S..

References

• BBC UK: Climate Change - Bloom - Greening Your Funeral
• Natural Burial Co-op: Natural Burial In The U.S.A. Green Burial Council
• Resomation: About Resomation
• Articles. Money Central: Donate Body To Science: Burial and Cremation Alternatives
• Obit Mag: Promession Promises Green Future
• Daily Record: Holyrood Considers Legislation as Scientists Discover Deep-Freeze Alternative to Cremation

Resources

• Green Burial Council, 550-D St. Michaels Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87505. Tel: [phone]
• Resomation Ltd, 25 Honeywell Avenue, Glasgow, Scotland, G33 6HS. Tel: [phone]
• Med.UFL.Edu: Anotomical Boards List Of Body Donation Programs