CREMATION OPTIONS

In the novel “Leaves of Grass”, Walt Whitman wrote, “I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love. If you want me again, look for me under your boot-soles.”  When you think about it, having a truly green burial via cremation shows great love for Mother Earth.

The idea of a natural burial first originated in England in 1993.  Since then, many counties have embraced the idea of giving back to the earth at a time of death.  Many caskets are non-biodegradable and have toxic chemicals that will eventually seep into the earth.  Cremation services provide a great alternative for people to forgo the tradition funeral ritual of purchasing a casket and embalming their dearly departed.

In North America, approximately 30 percent of the people choose cremation services over traditional burials.  That number is expected to rise to over 50 percent by the year 2025.  The Cremation Association of North America reports that of those that choose cremation, 20 percent do so for environmental reasons.  Others have reported that cremation is the most logical choice because of the great price variance between cremation and traditional burials.

There is some debate as to the amount of emissions that crematories release into the environment.  The technology is always changing and the process is becoming more efficient and clean burning.  Compared to a traditional burial, cremation is still more environmentally friendly.

Burial parks are a fairly new concept that is currently being embraced by those interested in a green burial.  These parks are typically set in mature and quiet forests.  They are home to vegetation and wildlife, which reinforces the concept of the renewal of life.  Many of these parks allow for a tree to be planted near or over the final resting place of your dearly departed.  Some even allow a small memorial plaque to be placed at the site as well.   Biodegradable urns are also allowed to be placed on site.  Visiting the final resting place after the placement is always allowed, which provides great comfort for family members left behind. 

Whatever your ultimate choice is, Cremation Options is available to help your through the decision making process.  Their kind and knowledgeable staff will respectfully provide guidance and services for all of your cremation needs.

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Potential mercury contamination of the environment is something that concerns all of us. Although mercury is a naturally occurring Earth element, some human activities have been found to increase mercury levels in the atmosphere, in bodies of water, in soils and even in the human body.

Activities that may release mercury into the environment include municipal incinerators, dental facilities, production and disposal of batteries, disposal of fluorescent light bulbs, disposal of household waste, operation of crematories, and other sources. Mercury in the environment becomes part of nature’s food chain, fish being a notable example. Humans who eat fish with a high concentration of mercury can increase their own mercury exposure, occasionally to an unhealthy degree.

Mercury is introduced into the cremation cycle through the silver amalgam fillings in the bodies being cremated. Unlike the new composite resins now used to fill teeth, amalgam fillings contain mercury alloys. During the intense heat of cremation, the mercury vaporizes and can be released into the atmosphere.

Crematory operators and the funeral industry are dedicated to ensuring that emissions resulting from the cremation process do not harm the environment in which we all live. Over the past two decades the industry has waged a multi-front campaign to minimize crematory emissions in North America. Significant improvements to cremator design and construction, coupled with extensive operator training have resulted in minimized emissions rates that surpass the standards required by government regulation.

Changes in dental practices have also helped reduce crematory emissions. Whereas silver amalgam fillings containing mercury used to account for 90% of all dental fillings, in the past 10 years that figure has dropped to 30%. As the use of composite resins continues to grow, potential mercury emissions will become a decreasing and finally non-existent issue in cremation. No other dental material utilizes mercury. 

“The most extensive cremation equipment emissions research ever undertaken confirmed that the design and operation of typical North American crematories provided significantly better emissions than regulations required, and even exceeded expectations with older operating systems,” said Paul Rahill, President of Matthews International Cremation Division, a major manufacturer of cremation equipment and supplies, in a report to the Cremation Association of North America.

Rahill cites soil sample studies done in the vicinity of a British crematory that had been operating at peak production for 40 years and performed more than 100,000 cremations. Downwind soil samples showed a very slightly higher mercury level. However, mercury levels were still 7 times lower than those allowed for food production and 100 times lower than those allowed for children’s playgrounds. In comparison, Rahill reminds that North American crematories operate at only 20% of the production level in the study, further minimizing potential mercury contamination from cremation.

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