I have been thinking about what should happen to my body after my death. I care deeply about our environment that God has entrusted to us and I have become aware of the impact end-of-life decisions may have on our earth.
Embalming
Embalming is used to treat a body that the family wishes to display for family and friends to view from an open casket and to extend the time for funeral arrangements. Chemicals are pumped into the body, the main preservative being formaldehyde, which is a highly toxic carcinogen—hazardous to human and ecosystem health. As the body and casket decompose, formalin leaches into the soil. Some funeral homes offer glutaraldehyde embalming fluid which is less toxic by a factor of 40 and is not considered to be carcinogenic.
Caskets
Modern caskets can be simple or ornate. Soil samples taken from graveyards reveal elevated concentrations of copper, lead, zinc and iron. Caskets using sustainable materials such as bamboo, seagrass, willow or other fast-growing renewable resources lined with cotton are preferable. Instead of a casket, the body can be wrapped in a biodegradable burial shroud.
Cremation
Cremation is favoured by many as being more ecofriendly than traditional burials. Though less of an environmental impact than burial, the cremation process requires very high heat for about two hours. The fossil fuel used to maintain the high temperatures for so long produces about one quarter of a tonne (535 pounds) of carbon dioxide. Cremation remains are placed in an urn and may be buried, scattered or placed in a columbarium. Urns are available made of gelatin and sand which rapidly disintegrate when buried. Families may choose to scatter the remains in favourite locations or ashes may be retained.
Aquamation (alkaline hydrolysis or water cremation)
This process uses water, alkalinity and heat from electricity to decompose the body leaving only bone fragments, which are dried to produce ash similar to cremation, and a nutrient rich sterile fluid which can be returned to the water treatment facility or used in a garden or green space. The ash may be treated in the same way as that from cremation.
Natural burial
A few cemeteries now offer natural burial sites. The cities of Hamilton and Niagara Falls have such sites. Bodies are buried wrapped in a shroud and the body is placed on a platform made of a material, such as wicker, which will decompose fairly rapidly. The platform is designed to be carried by pallbearers for the funeral service. The City of Hamilton calls the burials natural rather than green as a mechanical digger is used to dig the graves. There is no grave marker, instead the names of those buried in an area are on a plaque. The burial site in Hamilton is covered with grass which requires little or no mowing and a colourful mix of flowers making for a very lovely peaceful memorial place.
Donation to Science
Anatomy students are in need of bodies in order to study the structure of the human body. Highly toxic chemicals, more than used for embalming, are used to preserve the cadavers for up to three years. Complimentary cremation is offered when the bodies are no longer needed and these toxic chemicals become air pollution.
Conclusions
My research leads me to favour aquamation. I was very impressed with the natural burial area in Hamilton but am dismayed at the space taken for graveyards and cemeteries. The process of aquamation produces no emissions and the remains don’t take up space in the earth.
Informative websites
• https://aquamationinfo.com
• https://davidsuzuki.org/living-green/green-end-of-life-options
• https://www.ontario.ca/page/whole-body-donation
End-of-Life Matters: Exploring Greener End-of-Life Options
I have been thinking about what should happen to my body after my death. I care deeply about our environment that God has entrusted to us and I have become aware of the impact end-of-life decisions may have on our earth.
Embalming
Embalming is used to treat a body that the family wishes to display for family and friends to view from an open casket and to extend the time for funeral arrangements. Chemicals are pumped into the body, the main preservative being formaldehyde, which is a highly toxic carcinogen—hazardous to human and ecosystem health. As the body and casket decompose, formalin leaches into the soil. Some funeral homes offer glutaraldehyde embalming fluid which is less toxic by a factor of 40 and is not considered to be carcinogenic.
Caskets
Modern caskets can be simple or ornate. Soil samples taken from graveyards reveal elevated concentrations of copper, lead, zinc and iron. Caskets using sustainable materials such as bamboo, seagrass, willow or other fast-growing renewable resources lined with cotton are preferable. Instead of a casket, the body can be wrapped in a biodegradable burial shroud.
Cremation
Cremation is favoured by many as being more ecofriendly than traditional burials. Though less of an environmental impact than burial, the cremation process requires very high heat for about two hours. The fossil fuel used to maintain the high temperatures for so long produces about one quarter of a tonne (535 pounds) of carbon dioxide. Cremation remains are placed in an urn and may be buried, scattered or placed in a columbarium. Urns are available made of gelatin and sand which rapidly disintegrate when buried. Families may choose to scatter the remains in favourite locations or ashes may be retained.
Aquamation (alkaline hydrolysis or water cremation)
This process uses water, alkalinity and heat from electricity to decompose the body leaving only bone fragments, which are dried to produce ash similar to cremation, and a nutrient rich sterile fluid which can be returned to the water treatment facility or used in a garden or green space. The ash may be treated in the same way as that from cremation.
Natural burial
A few cemeteries now offer natural burial sites. The cities of Hamilton and Niagara Falls have such sites. Bodies are buried wrapped in a shroud and the body is placed on a platform made of a material, such as wicker, which will decompose fairly rapidly. The platform is designed to be carried by pallbearers for the funeral service. The City of Hamilton calls the burials natural rather than green as a mechanical digger is used to dig the graves. There is no grave marker, instead the names of those buried in an area are on a plaque. The burial site in Hamilton is covered with grass which requires little or no mowing and a colourful mix of flowers making for a very lovely peaceful memorial place.
Donation to Science
Anatomy students are in need of bodies in order to study the structure of the human body. Highly toxic chemicals, more than used for embalming, are used to preserve the cadavers for up to three years. Complimentary cremation is offered when the bodies are no longer needed and these toxic chemicals become air pollution.
Conclusions
My research leads me to favour aquamation. I was very impressed with the natural burial area in Hamilton but am dismayed at the space taken for graveyards and cemeteries. The process of aquamation produces no emissions and the remains don’t take up space in the earth.
Informative websites
• https://aquamationinfo.com
• https://davidsuzuki.org/living-green/green-end-of-life-options
• https://www.ontario.ca/page/whole-body-donation
Keep on reading
Voices of Today Breaks New Ground with All Female Composers at St. Jude’s in Oakville
Welcoming the Stranger: Lessons in Hospitality from Monastic Life
Equipping the Next Generation
Denominational Jigsaw
What C.S. Lewis Thought About Travel to Mars
Let’s Go on a Field Trip!