A fairly new process called alkaline hydrolysis is coming onto the market as a "green" alternative to the traditional flame cremation. Here is what you need to know about making this decision for a loved one.
What Is the Process Like?
In a green cremation, the facility uses hot water and lye to liquify the remains. So, the majority of the remains are sent down the facility's drain and disposed of properly. Things like bone and any metal implants the person had will remain in tact. The process is beginning to be done by many traditional cremation services, but you may need to ask your funeral director for help in finding a facility that can do the process.
Only the Bone Remains
There are some things that the facility can do with the remaining bone in order to present it to the loved ones. For instance, your cremation facility can grind down the bones so that you can put them in a traditional urn or other decorative vessel. This is one factor that persuades families who don't like the idea of the remains becoming liquified and never seen again; you still get part of the remains to keep with you after the green cremation process is complete. However, if you don't have any specific use for the remaining bones, they are also biodegradable and can be disposed of in an earth-friendly way.
Benefits of a Green Cremation
The obvious benefit of these green cremation services is that they are more healthy for the environment; the regular flame cremation can take an environmental toll as it releases carcinogens and takes a lot of energy to complete. Since the green cremation process has an energy savings attached to it, it may be cheaper at some facilities as well.
Green Alternatives to Green Cremation
Of course, green cremation services aren't the only option for a burial option that's more environmental friendly. There is the option of going through a regular cremation process and then purchasing an urn that is environmentally friendly. For instance, some urns contain a seedling that the remains can then nurture into a full grown tree. Another option is to get a natural burial, where the body is placed in a casket that is biodegradable. This way, it won't take up a lot of added space in the earth. In short, more and more options are appearing for eco-friendly burial.
For more information, talk to a professional like Catchen Don & Son Funeral Home.
Share22 June 2016
A couple of weeks ago, one of my dear family friend’s suffered the loss of her husband. After a brief illness, he passed away at a local hospital. Immediately after his passing, she started planning the funeral arrangements. She didn’t want his funeral to be a sad occasion. Instead, she wanted the service to celebrate his amazing life. She worked tirelessly with the professional staff at a local funeral home in order to plan the order and type of service for the funeral. On this blog, you will discover tips for planning a funeral service that will celebrate the life of your deceased loved one.