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When it comes to your loved one passing away, you will be faced with the option of choosing a traditional burial or a more modern approach, such as cremation.

This article will discuss how crematoriums can become more energy-efficient in their processes and which innovative solutions they can use to achieve this goal.

But first, let's discuss the history of burial and cremation traditions.

History of burial traditions

Burials have been a practice done for many years. This has become a cultural practice that all forms of civilization have used to honour and protect the bodies of their deceased.

Here are some of the practices that have been used over the years.

• Religious significance: burying the dead has been linked to religious beliefs, such as preserving the body for resurrection on judgement day. This is in both the Christian and Islamic religions.
• Cultural variations: these burials are linked to cultural differences, such as performing rituals or practising both burials and cremations. This means that each burial will be done according to the unique customs of the culture the deceased was practising.
• Ancient origins: burials have always been an important part of civilization. For example, the Egyptians built tombs to bury their dead after they were mummified to preserve their bodies from decaying.

With global warming and climate change, these burial traditions have been altered to fit some modern-day practices, but the purpose remains the same.

History of human cremation

Human cremation, on the other hand, also has a history of its own. This started as an alternative to the traditional burial practice.

It is important to note that the Vikings had always set a body alight on a wooden boat structure and sent the body downriver as a sign of respect and honour for the person who had passed.

Let's discuss how some of these factors have influenced and affected the cremation process we practice today.

• Religious and cultural diversity: the tradition of cremation has been embedded in some cultures for a very long time and is tied to particular beliefs. In the Hindu culture, they strongly practice and believe that cremation is used to release the soul from the physical body. This practice is also seen in the Buddhist culture, where cremation is a part of their funeral rites.
• Environmental impact: this type of funeral has been noted to positively impact the environment, with less harsh greenhouse emissions being released into the air and saving land space.
• Ancient practices: the Romans and the Greeks have been known to practice cremation. In Athens especially, setting a body on fire was a way to purify it.
• Modern practices: the practice of cremation started being used in Western cultures in the 19th and 20th centuries.
• Memorialization and customization: instead of burying their loved one and visiting their grave, people were now able to put their loved one's ashes into a pretty urn or other container of their choice and keep them close by on a mantel or place them in other areas used to store their memories.

The benefits of cremating

There are many benefits to using cremation as a form of burial for your loved ones. At first, some people might not be open to the idea of using cremation as a burial option, but these benefits may persuade them to consider it.

Here are some benefits you can get by choosing this option.

• Timing flexibility: a cremation is convenient in terms of timing. This can be scheduled according to the family's availability, whereas with a traditional funeral, everyone has to be present on the day and, at times, travel from far away.
• Cost-effectiveness: a cremation has fewer expenses than a traditional burial. You do not have to choose the most expensive casket/coffin - no need to maintain the burial place or pay for a burial plot.
• Transportation ease: the remains can be easily transported as they are portable and compact and won't take up much space when you decide to place them in a permanent place.
• Memories are reserved: these can be placed with the rest of the memories of the loved ones who have passed on.
• The physical footprint is reduced: this is important for people who care about the environment and want to reduce their carbon footprint even after passing on.
• Documentation is more accessible: Families will receive clear documentation on the cremation process and other necessary information.

How cremation affects the environment

Although cremation releases various emissions, measures are implemented to ensure it does not harm the environment. Cremation also has a positive effect on the environment as well. The following are the effects on the environment.

• Lower carbon footprint: the cremation process is made to be energy-efficient, reducing greenhouse emissions released during the process.
• Minimum use of resources: cremation does not need all the resources that a traditional burial would need. This process excludes the need for burial vaults and embalming chemicals, including using natural resources to make.
• Land conservation: no burial land space is needed when choosing cremation. Natural land can be conserved and used for other purposes instead of sectioning off land for burial sites.
• Reduces groundwater contamination: using traditional burials can lead to groundwater becoming contaminated with the embalming chemicals and the chemicals used in the coffin/casket, which can seep into the soil.
• Preserves natural landscapes: natural lands are preserved, and so will the ecosystems present in these landscapes as they will remain underdeveloped due to people choosing cremations.
• Controls emissions: modern cremation processes have the equipment to control any harmful emissions released during the process. This includes mercury that may be released from dental fillings.
• Memorialization can be done through sustainability: these remains can be scattered by families in natural settings, contributing to the sustainability of the environment.

Innovative ways to do cremations

There are more eco-friendly methods that can be used to do cremations that will save not only money but also energy usage.

These newer methods include:

• Solar cremation: this process involves placing solar panels inside the cremation chambers to generate the electricity needed for the process.
• Bio-cremation: this process is also known as alkaline hydrolysis, which is an eco-friendly alternative to using the traditional flame to cremate the body. The process uses water alongside the alkaline base to break down the body matter. This liquid is sterile and can be safely disposed of.
• Modern cremation equipment: these tools and equipment have been made to be energy-efficient. Some of these newer features include minimizing air pollution, timing controls to ensure the precise time of cremation and automating temperature.

Conclusion

In conclusion, although crematoriums are becoming more energy-efficient with their processes, they can also find utility solutions for crematoriums to help find cheaper rates that are suited to their energy consumption needs and to save costs on the business, which will increase profits.

With the advancement of newer technologies, cremation practices have advanced and will continue to evolve to ensure that these practices stay respectful to the deceased and their families while considering the effects on the environment as well.

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