Greta Jimenez
Cremation is a widely used funerary practice, with almost 58% of Americans projected to use cremation in 2021. However, it has come under scrutiny for its environmental impact. Cremation releases toxic emissions, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and heavy metals such as mercury. The amount of pollution generated by cremation depends on the method and location. Traditional open-air pyre cremations, commonly practised in India, contribute to air and river pollution due to the large amount of firewood required. Modern crematoria use natural gas and electricity, emitting carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Alternatives such as alkaline hydrolysis, also known as bio-cremation, are gaining popularity for their reduced environmental impact, using less energy and emitting fewer pollutants. With growing concerns about climate change, the impact of cremation on the environment is an important consideration in the funeral services industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Carbon footprint | 534.6 pounds of carbon dioxide per cremation; 360,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year in the US |
| Energy consumption | As much energy as a 500-mile (800 km) car trip |
| Fuel consumption | 100 kWh of electrical energy for a high-pressure vessel |
| Air pollution | Carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury vapour, dioxins, volatile organic compounds, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and heavy metals |
| Water pollution | Contributes to river pollution when performed near water |
| Alternative options | Alkaline hydrolysis, natural organic reduction, natural burial, aquamation |
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What You'll Learn
Cremation methods such as alkaline hydrolysis produce less pollution
The impact of cremation on the environment depends on where and how it is performed. Traditional cremation methods can be highly polluting, especially in countries like India, where Hindus cremate their relatives on open-air pyres, requiring the cutting down of millions of trees and contributing to air and river pollution.
However, cremation methods such as alkaline hydrolysis produce less pollution. Also known as water cremation, biocremation, resomation, flameless cremation, aquamation, or green cremation, alkaline hydrolysis is an alternative to traditional cremation that uses water, alkaline chemicals, and a combination of heat, pressure, and/or agitation to reduce a human body. The process was first patented in 1888 by Amos Herbert Hobson, a farmer who wanted to create fertilizer from animal carcasses.
Alkaline hydrolysis uses much less energy than traditional cremation. Depending on the process, the energy required can vary from almost zero in an atmospheric pressure machine to around 100 kWh of electrical energy for a high-pressure vessel. In comparison, a standard cremation consumes as much energy as a 500-mile (800 km) car trip. Alkaline hydrolysis also produces fewer emissions, with CO2 emissions cut by almost 90%. The process also captures and recycles metals such as mercury from dental fillings, which would otherwise be released into the atmosphere during traditional cremation.
The liquid byproduct of alkaline hydrolysis is sterile and can be safely released into the local wastewater treatment system, where it is appreciated as it helps clean the water. In some cases, this liquid is used as fertilizer due to its potassium and sodium content. The process also produces bone residue, which can be returned to the family in the same way as traditional cremation ashes.
Despite its advantages, alkaline hydrolysis has faced regulatory hurdles and opposition from religious groups such as the Catholic Church, which considers the practice disrespectful to the human body. However, it is gradually gaining acceptance, with over half of US states and several provinces legalizing the process for human remains.
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Crematoria emissions and their impact on air quality
Cremation is a widely practised method of disposing of human remains, with almost 58% of Americans projected to use cremation in 2021, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. However, the process of cremation has come under scrutiny for its environmental impact, particularly regarding air quality.
Crematoria emit various pollutants, including carbon dioxide (CO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and heavy metals such as mercury. The release of mercury is of particular concern, as it is often a byproduct of burning dental amalgam fillings. While some crematoria employ scrubbers or filters to capture and neutralise mercury emissions, not all facilities have this technology.
The amount of pollution generated by cremation depends on several factors, including the fuel source used, the efficiency of the crematorium, and the weight of the deceased. Natural gas, a common fuel source for cremation, contributes to the carbon footprint of the process. Additionally, the cremation of a single human body can produce between 284 and 568 pounds of CO2, with an average of 534.6 pounds, according to Matthews Environmental Solutions.
The increasing preference for cremation over burial in some regions, such as Canada, has led to a rise in inquiries about the potential health risks associated with crematoria emissions. A study in Cumbria, England, found an increased risk of stillbirth and anencephalus among babies of mothers living close to crematoria, although a causal effect could not be established. Another review of literature on the health impacts of waste incineration suggested that living near older incinerators with high dioxin emissions was associated with adverse health outcomes, including congenital anomalies and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
As a result of these concerns, alternative methods of body disposal, such as alkaline hydrolysis or "bio-cremation," are gaining traction. Alkaline hydrolysis has a significantly smaller carbon footprint, using less heat and releasing no emissions from the body. It also produces an organic liquid that can be used as fertilizer. However, the practice has faced opposition from religious groups and concerns about its cost and legislative hurdles.
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The environmental impact of cremation vs burial
Cremation and burial both have significant environmental impacts, but in different ways.
Cremation
The cremation process involves burning fossil fuels, which releases carbon dioxide (CO2) and other pollutants into the atmosphere. The amount of CO2 released depends on the weight of the person, with estimates ranging from 284 to 534.6 pounds of CO2 per cremation. This means that cremations in the US account for about 360,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions each year. The process also releases pollutants such as mercury vapour from dental fillings, which accounts for 16% of the UK's mercury emissions in 2005, along with other toxic emissions from burnt prosthetics and melted bone cement.
Burial
Traditional burials involve embalming the body with toxic chemicals, such as formaldehyde, which can seep into the soil and water, posing risks to wildlife and plant life. The use of hardwood or metal caskets and concrete vaults also contributes to deforestation and has a lasting impact on the earth as they do not break down. Burial space is becoming increasingly scarce and expensive, especially in built-up areas.
Alternative Options
Due to the environmental concerns associated with both cremation and burial, alternative options are becoming more popular. One option is alkaline hydrolysis, also known as "bio-cremation", which uses less energy and water to dissolve the body, resulting in significantly fewer CO2 emissions and no mercury emissions. Another option is natural organic reduction or recomposition, which converts bodies into useful soil. Across the US, it is also legal to opt for a natural burial, where the body is allowed to decompose in the ground without added chemicals or materials.
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The amount of carbon dioxide released during cremation
Cremation releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The amount of carbon dioxide released depends on a variety of factors, such as the weight of the person, the type of fuel used, and the efficiency of the cremation process.
On average, a single cremation produces between 284 and 568 pounds of carbon dioxide, with an average of 534.6 pounds. This means that cremations in the United States account for about 360,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions each year. For a 150-pound person, approximately 100 pounds of CO2 will be produced during cremation. This can be calculated by multiplying the person's weight by 0.18 to estimate the amount of carbon that will combine with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, and then multiplying that number by 3.7 to get the weight of CO2.
The cremation process involves exposing the body to high temperatures in a special furnace called a cremator, which results in the body turning into ashes within two to three hours. The water in the body is heated using a fuel source, typically natural gas in the United States due to its abundance and low cost. The amount of natural gas consumed during cremation can vary, depending on factors such as the weight of the person and the efficiency of the cremation retort.
The environmental impact of cremation has raised concerns about its long-term viability as an environmentally friendly option. Innovations in cremation technology, such as electric cremation and solar-powered cremation, aim to reduce the carbon footprint of cremation by offering more sustainable alternatives. Additionally, alternative disposal methods like alkaline hydrolysis, also known as water cremation or aquamation, have gained popularity due to their lower carbon footprint compared to traditional cremation.
While cremation contributes to carbon dioxide emissions, the impact of an individual cremation also depends on where and how it is performed. For example, in India, Hindus have traditionally cremated their relatives on open-air pyres, which requires cutting down millions of trees and contributes to air and river pollution due to the proximity to water. However, organizations like the Mokshda Green Cremation System have been working to curb this pollution by providing more fuel-efficient structures for funerary rites.
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The amount of energy used during cremation
A cremator must operate at temperatures between 760-1150 degrees Celsius for 75 minutes per cremation, utilizing about 285 kilowatt-hours of gas and 15 kilowatt-hours of electricity on average. This equates to the average monthly energy demands of a single person's household. The energy requirements of cremation contribute to the release of greenhouse gases and mercury pollution from dental fillings.
However, advancements are being made to reduce the environmental impact of cremation. Some crematoria employ scrubbers to capture mercury emissions, and alternative methods such as alkaline hydrolysis, or "water cremation," offer a lower-carbon option. This process can vary from using almost zero energy in atmospheric pressure machines to around 100 kilowatt-hours for high-pressure vessels, resulting in about 110 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.
Additionally, there is growing interest in harnessing the waste heat generated during cremation to create a cyclical process where cremations power subsequent cremations, achieving net-zero energy use. Crematoria in Europe, particularly in the UK, Denmark, and Sweden, are leading the way in this area, finding ways to capture and convert heat waste to provide electricity for their facilities and surrounding communities.
While cremation currently contributes to energy consumption and emissions, ongoing innovations and alternative methods offer the potential for a more sustainable approach in the future.
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Frequently asked questions
A standard cremation releases about 400 kilograms (880 pounds) of carbon dioxide, along with other pollutants like dioxins and mercury vapour. Cremation also requires a significant amount of fuel, with each cremation using as much energy as a 500-mile (800 km) car trip.
Alkaline hydrolysis is a chemical body-disposal process that uses one-tenth the natural gas of fire-based cremation and one-third the electricity. CO2 emissions are cut by almost 90% and no mercury is released. Another eco-friendly alternative is aquamation or water cremation, which involves submerging the body in water in a stainless steel chamber. Heat, pressure, and potassium hydroxide are added to dissolve the tissue.
Cremation often burns fossil fuels like natural gas and releases millions of tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere each year. With the increasing popularity of cremations worldwide, experts say their environmental impacts should not be dismissed.
