Fire Cremation isn't as earth friendly as you think, alternatives

Welcome! 

Last week I told you about the history of traditional burials and how a few minor adjustments can save you money while also saving the planet. This week we're talking about the dirty little secrets of fire cremation, why this option isn't as earth friendly as many people believe, and what you can do about it. 

Effects of fire cremation: 

1. Pollutes the air, soil, and water near the crematory. Anyone living nearby, working on, or witnessing these cremations is exposed to several toxic chemicals. 

2. Uses as much energy as it takes to drive a truck 600 miles, or power an entire home for a month. Natural gas is the typical fuel. 

3. A violent disposition option, the bones (and coffin or cardboard container, if used) must be stirred, chopped with an axe, and broken up into smaller and smaller pieces during the burning process. This takes hours. 

4. Multiple people are burned in the same space, at different times, and the ashes returned to your family may not all be yours. 

5. Ashes cannot be buried under a living plant, or it will die. They can be scattered on land or at sea, turned into parting stones, mixed with concrete and formed into many things, or placed in an urn on display. 

Most people think that fire cremation is better for the planet than a burial. This is only the case if this was a burial where they use a casket, the body is embalmed, and is wearing non-biodegradable clothes when buried. If you compare a fire cremation to any of the more natural burial options, then the natural burial will be more earth friendly. 

Alternatives to fire cremation: 

Alkaline Hydrolysis is also referred to as water cremation. This process has been used on livestock for decades and has recently become more available as an alternative body disposition option for human remains. During this gentle process, the body is put into a liquid bath that is 95% water and 5% alkaline solution, which turns all the soft tissues into a liquid that can be used to fertilize plants. The only things that remain are bones, dental implants, and any other replacement hardware (or implants). These bones are not the burned bones of a fire cremation, they are pure white, and you will get a significant portion more than you do from a fire cremation. Many families work with the parting stone company to turn them into rocks (to place in locations instead of scattering ashes) or jewelry. This option is about the same cost as a traditional fire cremation. 

Natural organic reduction or "terramation" is when your body undergoes a process like composting and becomes dirt that can be used on non-food plants. There are sites that do this out on open ground, and sites in cities that put you into a machine. This option costs significantly more than a fire cremation as it is not widely available yet, this will likely change in the future! 

Mushroom suits are expensive and only work if your body is placed on open ground. There are not many places where you're allowed to do this, but if you have a large, rural property and zone some for a burial plot, this is an option that could work for you. 

Being part of a tree only works if you aren't ashes (or your ashes are placed in a watertight container) when the tree is planted on top of you. This is a good choice for a grave marker for a natural burial site or over a sealed container of ashes. 

Being a coral reef seed tube is another option for your cremated remains, which are mixed with concrete by a professional company and deposited in the ocean to help form new coral reefs. This will be an extra cost on top of the cremation. 

Scattering at sea is an option for your cremated remains also, an added expense after cremation. You must work with the EPA to set this up, and willing to rent a boat to get you three nautical miles off shore. 

In Colorado, there is a natural burial location that also accepts the extra liquid from water cremation sites and the compost from terramation sites to add to their plants and gardens. There could be sites like this in your state, ask if they need extra compost or fertilizer, this is good to know if you're choosing one of the dispositions that will result in more fertilizer remains than your family and friends can use. 

Let me know which of these alternatives to fire cremation you’d consider for your own disposition! Keep an eye on your inbox next week for more information on legal documents you’ll need to have ready prior to your death or incapacitation. 

Love and Light, 

Christine