4 Sustainable Ways to Dispose of Your Body
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While we’re alive, we make use of many natural resources. In death we can give back to the environment that sustained us!
Written by Kari West
The traditional funeral industry is not known for its contributions to the environment. In fact, it is frequently associated with chemicals like formaldehyde that make their way into groundwater and greenhouse gas emissions that come from cremation. Needless to say, the most popular methods for disposing of one’s body don’t align with the goals of the average environmentally conscious person. Here are some more eco-friendly alternatives:
This is a fairly new option in which you can arrange to have your body turned into nutrient dense soil. The process takes six to eight weeks during which the body sits in a pod covered in plant material for 30 days, then is allowed to cure for 2-4 weeks. The process neutralizes pathogens, pharmaceuticals, and even chemotherapy drugs, truly returning us simple organic matter. By the end of the process your body has become one cubic yard of nutrient rich soil! Families can choose to pick up their loved one’s soil or have it donated. For those with a fear of being buried alive, look no further! The pods are kept warm with plenty of airflow, so if you are in fact alive, you’ll be fine. While only legal in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington thus far, this promising method brings a new approach to green burial by also tackling the widespread issue of worsening soil quality.
2. Aquamation
A more eco-friendly alternative to cremation, aquamation uses alkaline hydrolysis to breakdown all organic material except bone. Like composting, the process neutralizes chemotherapy drugs and chemicals used in the process of euthanasia. Speaking of which, this option is also available for pets! Unlike traditional flame cremation, aquamation uses electricity instead of burning fossil fuels and does not directly emit any greenhouse gases. These make it the more environmentally conscious option, and for many, the concept of a bath seems much gentler than cremation.
You can always choose what seems to be the simplest option: being wrapped in a shroud and placed in the ground to become worm food. Green burial has been around longer than newer options like composting and aquamation, so it is more widely available. There are a variety of biodegradable caskets, shrouds, and urns to choose from that will look beautiful for any departure ceremonies you may have, but will also breakdown as you do once you are laid to rest. In green burial, the body is only buried 3-4 feet underground. This allows for more airflow, meaning faster decomposition. There are specialized cemeteries for green burials, and they allow for trees to be planted as grave markers, stones placed, and other creative ways to memorialize you or your loved one. Many green burial sites also serve a dual purpose as land conservation efforts.
4. Body Farm
You can of course donate your body to science. An interesting twist on this is donation to a “body farm”. A body farm is a facility where donated bodies are placed in unique environments and observed as they decompose. The purpose of this research is to better understand the process of decomposition and how it happens differently under a variety of conditions such as water or direct sunlight. Through a body farm, you can contribute to important research while still ensuring your body will decay naturally and have a positive environmental impact.
In light of the pain the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to many of us, it is important to note that there is no right way to grieve a loved one or think about your own mortality. Many end-of-life practices prioritize tradition and dignity of the individual over choosing the most sustainable options, and this should be respected. We must always remember that while sustainable alternatives are cool, people come first.
Sources:
https://recompose.life/death-care/
https://aquamationinfo.com/
https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/green_burial_defined-299610.html
http://fac.utk.edu/collections-and-research/