Traditional funeral rituals could potentially be replaced by water cremation and human composting methods.
It's the future, and alternative funeral methods, such as water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis) and human composting (natural organic reduction), could soon join the list of legal choices. The Law Commission has floated the idea, proposing an updated legal framework to accommodate these options alongside traditional burials, cremations, and burials at sea.
Water cremation, a greener alternative to our current methods, involves placing the deceased in a woolen shroud or organic pouch. Experience from 2019 suggests that the process, which mimics natural decomposition, takes between 4 and 14 hours to break down the tissue using water, alkaline chemicals, heat, and pressure. The resulting liquid is checked and treated before entering the wastewater system, while bone remains are dried, ground into powder, and scattered like ashes.
Recently, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a renowned anti-apartheid campaigner, chose water cremation for his funeral in South Africa. Major funeral providers in the UK, such as Co-op Funeralcare, have expressed interest in offering the service, but will only move forward if regulations allow for it.
Another proposal in the mix is human composting, where the body is placed in a sealed chamber with organic matter such as straw and wood chips. The process takes around two to three months, after which the soil produced can be returned to the bereaved. Other methods involving the freezing of human remains are also being explored, although none have proven viable.
As we move forward with these exploration, it's important to note that current regulations are limited. The Methods are only subject to broad environmental and planning laws. The Law Commission's consultation, which will run until spring next year, seeks public input on how to regulate these new methods effectively.
Ultimately, the goal is to provide consumers with more choice and deliver environmental benefits, making our end-of-life rituals more sustainable. As this exciting development unfolds, we'll keep you posted. Stay tuned!
In the context of expanding funeral options, science advances in the field of health-and-wellness, such as water cremation and human composting, could positively impact our environmental-science efforts and fitness-and-exercise routines in the long run. For instance, the process of water cremation minimizes carbon emissions compared to conventional cremation, promoting a healthier and more eco-friendly lifestyle.
