Are Cremation Services Green?

September 23, 2019

Did you know that there are ways you can help the environment even after you’ve passed away? It’s not that hard to do your part for planet Earth after you’re gone, especially with the right kind of body disposition method. A posthumous, non-traditional way to help the environment is through cremation services in Dixon, IL.

How do cremations compare to other body disposition methods and the environment? Cremations are definitely better for the environment than traditional funerals and burials. Full service burials cause lots of issues like loss of habitat. A recent statistic from the Centre for National Burial states that 10 acres of cemetery holds almost 20,000 tons of vault concrete, 1000 tons of casket steal, and enough wood to build over 40 full-sized homes. All that material leaves little room for animal and plant life. Not to mention loss of land that could otherwise be used to grow food or build homes.

Cremation can be a greener choice than burial, as it avoids burying non-natural materials in the ground. However, there are some downsides to cremation in terms of the environment. Standard crematoriums burn a lot of natural gas, and therefore release lots of greenhouse gases and chemical vapors that can harm the atmosphere.

Its also good to mention that in order to fully dehydrate a human body to bone and ash, a crematorium has to be fully heated to at least 1400 degrees Fahrenheit, and maintain the heat for a minimum of 45 minutes. This process releases a lot of carbon dioxide, and uses up a lot of fossil fuel. However, because of modern technology and new cremation techniques, cremation is becoming a lot greener.

There are ways you personally can make cremation services even better, like:

Recycling - Remove and recycle medical devices and parts, like pacemakers, before cremation. Burning said parts can release harmful gases and produce non-biodegradable ash.
Green Caskets - Cremation providers generally require bodies to be in a rigid, consumable, and leak-proof casket for the cremation process. Burning these caskets can give off noxious gases and fumes, if you chose a bad one. When picking out your cremation casket, look for one made of non-toxic and renewable material. Wicker and cardboard are great options.
Go biodegradable - Many people chose to bury their loved one’s ashes after cremation. While urns and ashes take up less space than a full-size grave, urns slow down the decay process and may negatively impact the surrounding earth. Choose a biodegradable urn to better protect the local ground.

If going green through your body disposition sounds good to you, just go for it. Do you want to learn more about the environment and Dixon, IL cremation services? Just reach out to Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation by visiting 702 1st Ave Sterling, IL 61081, or calling (815) 626-1131. We have years of cremation experience ready to put at your disposal. We’d love to help you make the best cremation choices for you, the environment, and your loved ones.

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