Environmental Concerns. But burial is also has least impact in terms of pollutants if you opt for no embalming, natural burial site and environmentally friendly coffin. Donate to a charity rather than sending flowers. Some out there are concerned about the environmental impact of burial and cremation. 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. The effects of cremation and burial are of much concern for environmentalists. Beyond cost, religious and cultural reasons are some of the most important factors to consider when deciding between cremation vs burial. Today many are choosing burial methods that minimize 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. Cremation was popularised in the UK in the late 19th century, pushed on by growing secularism and the Industrial Revolution, but environmental concerns have led … Those against burial argue the issue of land use and what is involved in the perpetual care of a cemetery. Your thoughts on the potential environmental impact of your death. Traditional burials use burial vaults that prevent the human body from decomposing, heightening the environmental impact. This is due to an array of reasons, but even then, there are few factors to consider when making a decision. Reassured, an award-winning and FCA registered broker, has put together the below guide to help you with this important decision of cremation vs burial. ... money is a huge factor in the negative impact that traditional burial has caused by urging the grieving families of the deceased to purchase unnecessary and expensive products and services. The process of a burial leaves a significant footprint ; the use of embalming fluid, coffin, and tombstone can have adverse effects when buried. The negative effects of traditional burial to the environment are more than those of cremation. Environmental Impact of Cremation and Burials. There is no consensus on whether cremation or burial is a greener choice. Deciding whether to choose cremation vs. burial is an important task when outlining your end-of-life wishes. Traditional burials occupy around 10 feet or more of space. First off, cremations take up less land. Natural Burial. Environmental Impact If the effect on the environment is important to you, consider getting a cremation instead. Deciding between cremation and burial is a very personal decision and one that can be hard for most individuals. Cremation vs. Burial: An Overview. While cremation can leave less impact than a burial with a steel casket and concrete vault, it is not without its drawbacks. According to the United States Census Bureau, over 2.4 million Americans die every year. 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. Choose a biodegradable urn (if cremation … It’s still debated which is better and whether when a body is cremated it lets off a large number of pollutants. Cremation is often viewed as being a more cost-effective option between the two (burial or cremation), but knowing that all of the same ceremony choices are available to families, there may be little to no difference in the final tally. Indeed, there are environmental critiques of burial, which almost always relate to three points: (1) metal caskets use up a tremendous amount of resources to create and then pollute the ground; Cremation has gained popularity over the past few years, and burial is no longer the most popular option. Cost of a funeral Environmental and Public Health Concerns Depending on your personal values, you may want to consider the environmental impact burial and cremation both have. 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. The American cremation rate has been steadily on the rise for the past 30 years. The cremation process can take 2-3 hours from warm-up to incineration and reaches temperatures up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. The bottom line: if you’re concerned about the environmental impact of your final disposition, those concerns can be ameliorated regardless of whether you choose burial or cremation… The choice between cremation or burial is a matter of personal preference. Every action humans take on earth has an impact on the environment, even their death. This can be as little as £1,195 if you go with Beyond. Before a funeral for a dead person takes place, the body is often embalmed. Burials have been criticized for taking up too much space. It is generally guided by considerations including the cost of a funeral, environmental impact, practicality and religion. If Green Burial is not possible for you but you are interested in reducing your environmental impact during the funeral planning, here are 10 simple things you can do to make a difference: Carpool to any gathering. 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