environmental impact, and growing societal acceptance. A variety of religious and cultural groups that considered cremation taboo have begun to accept cremation as morally neutral. How green is cremation? Cremation is green because traditional burials are resource intensive and less land is required for housing human remains. It takes an average of 32 square feet to bury a single coffin. But cremation is associated with drawbacks such as energy use and air pollution. ● Energy use: The natural gas or propane energy needed to accomplish the cremation process is significant. Cremation chambers are heated to between 1,400 and 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 2.5 hours. Increasingly, the Making cremations greener A number of steps that reduce the ecological impact of cremation are becoming standard practice and will likely be incorporated into industry policy soon. The Green Burial Council offers the following recommendations to minimize the environmental impact of cremation (Ramone & Wormald, 2022): ● Choose a shroud instead of a coffin, as cardboard coffins often contain chemicals that are released into the environment during cremation. ● Do not embalm bodies prior to cremation to avoid releasing chemicals into the atmosphere. ● Bury the ashes in a biodegradable urn that will harmlessly become part of the earth. ● Avoid plastic, ceramic, and glass or other non-porous containers that do not break down easily. Mercury emissions Perhaps the least green aspect of cremation is the potential mercury emissions that can result from the material used to make dental fillings. Mercury in dental amalgam was considered safe to be used in the mouth because the oral cavity does not come in contact with temperatures high enough for the mercury to vaporize. The heating processes used in crematoriums can vaporize the mercury in dental amalgams, which can eventually build up in the atmosphere, water, and soil. The most extensive cremation equipment emissions research indicates that the design and operation of typical North American crematories provides significantly better emissions than regulations require (Rahill, n.d.). CANA provides the following information concerning mercury in the environment and cremation as a contributing factor: ● Mercury is a naturally occurring element that cycles through our environment, particularly in water. ● The most notable way that mercury enters the cremation cycle is via silver amalgam dental fillings through crematory emissions. ● Silver amalgam fillings contain mercury alloys that volatize when introduced into the cremation process of intense heat. Creative cremains The increased demand for cremation has driven a number of other trends associated with the wearing, displaying, scattering, or burying of cremains. One of these is the development of dedicated scattering grounds, a small number of which are certified as approved and protected in perpetuity by a deed restriction or a conservation easement. Many of these grounds also allow burial of cremains, though some require a biodegradable container.
Preplanning may also have contributed to its increase. While an individual may feel uncomfortable choosing cremation for a parent, they are likely confident in choosing it for their own passing. While cremains are often scattered, they may also be buried in cemeteries or columbarium using minimal resources. industry is investigating the use of alternative fuels as well as the use of carbon offsets to minimize the energy impact of cremations. But little progress has been made. ● Air pollution : Cremation chambers emit particulates, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, dioxin, furans, mercury, cadmium, and lead. The average cremation produces about 50 kilograms of carbon dioxide, which is the same as driving a car about 136 miles. While those seeking a simpler, less expensive, and more environmentally friendly funeral and burial alternative often choose cremation, the process does use fossil fuels that do not save land from development nor protect or restore wildlife habitat. Projects such as artificial reefs (discussed below) are notable exceptions. In the future, there will likely be certification for crematories with emission controls. Newer cremation chambers often have water scrubbers installed in the exhaust ducts to clean the combustion gases and remove air pollutants, although their effectiveness is questionable. A study released by the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) showed that these devices had little effect on emissions and pollutants (Rahill, n.d.). The Green Burial Council is currently formulating cremation standards and technologies to reduce or eliminate mercury and other pollutants. ● Within the past 10 years, the percentage of fillings containing mercury has declined by 30%, a significant decrease. ● The changes in dental practices and consumer preferences have resulted in significantly less mercury entering the cremation emissions. ● One of the most detailed studies of the impact of mercury emissions was conducted in the UK, where more than 70% of individuals choose cremation. The study focused on a crematorium that had been in operation for more than 40 years, processing more than 112,000 cremations. The concentration of mercury found in the crematory soil samples averaged less than 0.15 mg/kg, almost seven times lower than that allowed for food production and more than 100 times lower than that allowed for children’s playgrounds. ● Consider that typical North American crematories operate at only 20% of the production levels from the study, and it becomes apparent that the anticipated impact of mercury emissions is diminished. ● Proper training of crematory operators and managers must be encouraged, and older cremation systems should be properly maintained and updated to keep them in prime operating condition. One of the inventive ideas for the disposition of remains has been the construction of sections of artificial reef, augmenting existing reefs in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. These memorial reefs are made from cremated remains and concrete, poured into a mold and hardened. They eventually become a marine habitat. Individuals may participate in the creation of the concrete ball, if desired. An outdoor viewing of the reef and its placement is usually arranged (Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], 2022; Eternal Reefs, n.d.).
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