Cremation has gained popularity over the past few years, and burial is no longer the most popular option. Environmental Impact of Cremation and Burials. Traditional burial and cremation are both pretty environmentally unfriendly. Before a funeral for a dead person takes place, the body is often embalmed. Cremation releases 250,000 tons of CO2 each year, the equivalent of burning nearly 30 million gallons of gasoline. However, these are things to keep in mind: Unlike chemicals used to prepare bodies for a burial, the remains from a cremation only contain harmless minerals. Apart from having a lighter impact on the wallet, cremation will also leave less of an environmental footprint. This is due to an array of reasons, but even then, there are few factors to consider when making a decision. 6. Continue reading as we compare both options in terms of cost, the process, environmental impact, flexibility, religion and more… This can be as little as £1,195 if you go with Beyond. The diversification of the funeral industry stems from the environmental impact of traditional burial and the rise of cremation. https://antitheist-atheist.blogspot.com/2013/09/burialversuscremation.html The research has been done on this topic and environmental impact of burial is nowhere on the list. Cost of a funeral The negative effects of traditional burial to the environment are more than those of cremation. There is no consensus on whether cremation or burial is a greener choice. And, unlike a fire cremation, the carbon footprint is minimal. ... Burial is a source of environmental contaminants including the casket. Traditional burials use burial vaults that prevent the human body from decomposing, heightening the environmental impact. Definitions Cremation is the process whereby human remains are reduced through mechanical, thermal, or other means of dissolution.1 The literal translation of the Latin root cremare is “to burn by fire.”2 Cremation uses flame and heat to reduce remains to bone fragments which are then pulverized in a cremator to the consistency of ashes. In the United States, about 2.7 million people die every year and more than half of them are cremated. Lately, cremation has been winning the battle as the more popular choice. But burial is also has least impact in terms of pollutants if you opt for no embalming, natural burial site and environmentally friendly coffin. Environmental Concerns. Burial Vs Cremation: Cost Comparison. Cremation is more environmentally-friendly. Burials have been criticized for taking up too much space. Proponents of cremation say that the materials used in most caskets aren’t biodegradable, plus embalming fluid is harsh on the environment. Every action humans take on earth has an impact on the environment, even their death. The environmental factors Burning a dead body results in the release of the carbon dioxide stored in the body and in the fuel. The cremation industry claims – directly and through imagery such as the examples above – that cremation is better for the environment. Donate to a charity rather than sending flowers. Natural Burial. On the face of it the funeral rite of burial of a person in a shroud or letting bodies be eaten by vultures may seem to be more eco-friendly than burial in a coffin or crematorium or funeral pyre. This method benefits the environment, while also giving loved ones a lasting physical remembrance that they can visit. Cremation is a method of final disposition of a dead body through burning ().. Cremation may serve as a funeral or post-funeral rite and as an alternative to the burial or interment of an intact dead body. Your thoughts on the potential environmental impact of your death. “Green burial” is now advocated as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial and cremation. The environmental perspective of cremation vs burial. All in all you get more questions than answers, and I would suggest most people know what they want, but would be keen to reduce the environmental impact of their funeral as much as possible. Death didn’t use to be such an environmental drag. In a traditional burial the body is buried in a casket made from a variety of materials. First off, cremations take up less land. The cremation process can take 2-3 hours from warm-up to incineration and reaches temperatures up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. Traditional burials occupy around 10 feet or more of space. Those against burial argue the issue of land use and what is involved in the perpetual care of a cemetery. We’ll explain these in this article, along with the pros and cons of cremations or burials. Environmental Impact If the effect on the environment is important to you, consider getting a cremation instead. The American cremation rate has been steadily on the rise for the past 30 years. So to recap, in terms of the environmental impact and CO2 emissions then a funeral using a woodland or natural burial site has only two thirds of the CO2 emissions of a cremation only service making the woodland / natural burial ground option a far more environmentally friendly option than a cremation. Choose a biodegradable urn (if cremation … Advocates for burial bring up that most crematories operate using natural gas which is a nonrenewable resource. Some out there are concerned about the environmental impact of burial and cremation. It has always been an on-going debate: cremation vs. burial. Cremation Vs Burial- What are The Differences? The effects of cremation and burial are of much concern for environmentalists. 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