The Environmental Impacts of Cremation and Traditional Burial
Traditional burial and cremation services both have an impact on the environment, but in very different ways. Here are some of the differences between them.
There are a growing number of ways that individuals can decrease their ecological footprint. For instance, you may try to reduce your plastic usage, or you might change your diet to a more eco-friendly menu. You may even purchase a car that is more environmentally sound. A more unexpected way that our actions impact the planet is with the different methods of disposition. Traditional burial and cremation services near Ferrum, VA, both have unique impacts on the environment, and you can look at both to decide which is right for you or your loved one.
Cremation services mainly have a detrimental impact on the atmosphere. Because of how the process is, greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide are emitted into the atmosphere. Depending on the person, there may be other harmful gases like mercury released, as well. Greenhouse gases are known to contribute to climate change across the planet, and many places are trying to limit emissions. This is the main detrimental aspect of cremation services.
Traditional burial comes with its own set of issues that are quite different from that of cremation. Most traditional burials are preceded by a viewing and a funeral, which requires embalming. Embalming uses many different chemicals to preserve the bodily remains of the person who has passed, including formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a toxic chemical, and after burial it is able to enter the soil, harming the local ecosystem. Similarly, many caskets are treated with chemicals that prolong their life, and these chemicals are also very toxic and harmful to the environment. Fortunately, there are alternatives that allow you to have a burial without using these harmful chemicals. You can look for alternatives to embalming, or skip it altogether. You can also find caskets made from untreated wood, or even use a burial shroud made from natural materials instead.
Another issue with traditional burial is the massive use of land and resources that it requires. Cemeteries are already overcrowded as it is, and there is no end in sight of their need for more land. Caskets are typically made from valuable hard woods and metals, which will take a long time to break down in the soil (if they ever do at all). These materials could be used for many other things, but instead they are simply buried under the ground. Cremation services do not have any of these issues, and even if you choose to bury your loved one’s ashes, they take up significantly less space than a traditional casket burial would.
It’s important for people to consider their actions and how they affect the planet. We are taking care of the environment that future generations will depend on, and it’s time to start being more responsible with our choices. Being aware of how our actions affect the planet is the first step to improving the outcome. Your provider of cremation services near Ferrum, VA, can help you understand all the impacts that different methods of disposition have, and how you can mitigate some of the negative aspects. Then, you can be comforted knowing that you have done your part to make a healthier planet for the future.
