ALL THAT REMAINS

Exploring the sustainable—and not-so-sustainable—practices in the funeral industry

written and illustrated by bryan

satalino

Death is a hard topic to cover, and perhaps one of the harder parts is what to do with your body after you’ve passed away. For those of us who practice sustainability in life, it can be difficult to carry on this practice in death. Conventional funerals are incredibly resource intensive and toxic. According to the Green Burial Council, the funeral industry uses 4.3 million gallons of embalming fluid, 1.6 million tons of concrete, and 64,500 tons of steel each year. Cremation, once considered the “green” alternative to conventional burials, can also be energy intensive and toxic. In this graphic, we’ll explore the conventional methods as well as a variety of new ways that humans can be prepared for final disposition. Special thanks to Nancy Goldenberg, president and CEO of Laurel Hill Cemetery and West Laurel Hill Cemetery and Funeral Home for a wealth of information on this topic.

Conventional Burial

Cremation

Cremation is slightly less carbon-intensive than conventional burials, and don’t take up as much land space. However, they still produce between 300 and 600 pounds of carbon dioxide each. Particulate matter from this process is also an issue, but many crematoriums employ scrubbers to pull harmful chemicals out of the emissions.

Aquamation

Aquamation, or liquid hydrolysis, is a method that involves submerging the deceased in a highly basic formula. This process dissolves the soft tissues and leaves bone matter behind, which can them be pulverized and kept or spread like traditional cremains. The remaining liquid is safe to use as fertilizer or to be easily disposed. Unlike cremation, this process uses far less energy.

Human Composting

Human composting, or “recomposition,” is exactly what it sounds like: a human body is placed in a rotating composter with organic matter. Within a few months, the body is reduced to soil, which can be returned to the family for spreading or as soil for planting. This process is relatively new and only approved in 6 states as of writing.

Science

Whole body donation is extremely important to the science and medical community. Donations make it possible to improve surgical techniques, advance medical research and device testing, and assist with finding cures and treatments for diseases. In Pennsylvania, there is a nonprofit called the Humanity Gifts Registry, which is the sole avenue for donation.

Most funerals in the U.S. include the use of toxic embalming chemicals like formaldehyde to preserve the body, large and resource-intensive caskets built with wood, steel, copper and bronze, and a concrete vault in which to place the casket. Conventional burials in PA are expensive—averaging between $6,000 and $12,000.

Green Burial

A Green Burial, as certified by the Green Burial Council, is one that strives for less environmental impact, a reduction of carbon emissions, the protection of worker health and the restoration or preservation of land. Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia is a green burial site, featuring non-toxic embalming, biodegradable containers (sometimes simple pine boxes) and land conservation practices.

Mushroom Suit

Human bodies are filled with toxic chemicals—BPA, mercury, heavy metals, VOCs, etc. To put it simply, burying a body is a form of pollution. Mushrooms suits are shrouds doped with mycelium (mushroom roots), and are purported to help remediate the toxins in the soil. A big caveat—these claims seem to be pseudo-scientific and of limited (if any) benefit.

Forensic Science

Throughout the U.S., there are places called “body farms” where human remains are placed and observed for forensic research. This research helps forensic anthropologists in deducing the time of death. There are limited space for this sort of donation, and additional limits including the prohibition of bodies with certain diseases.

land for life. nature for all.