Explained: Environment Friendly Cremation

Death is an inevitable part of human¡¯s existence. Death as a phenomenon has piqued interest and has perplexed humanity across generations. As soon as a human die, it is important to cremate the body at the earliest.

Throughout the history, cremation is a practice that has been carried out by various cultures as a method of handling the deceased. It is the process of reducing a body to its basic elements through intense heat, typically in a cremation chamber or furnace.

The practice of cremation has evolved over time and holds different meanings and significance in various cultural, religious, and personal contexts.

Cremation throughout the years

The practice of cremation, the process of reducing a body to its basic elements through burning, has a long and varied history that spans cultures and civilisations. While the specific origins of cremation are difficult to trace, evidence suggests that the practice dates back thousands of years.

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Ancient Origins:

Cremation can be traced back to ancient civilisations such as the Stone Age, with archaeological evidence indicating that early humans used fire to dispose of their dead. The earliest known cremation site is found in Mungo Lake, Australia, dating back more than 40,000 years. Similar evidence has been discovered in Europe, Asia, and the Americas, indicating that cremation was a widespread practice among early cultures.

Classical Civilisations

Cremation gained prominence in classical civilisations, particularly in ancient Greece and Rome. In ancient Greece, cremation was initially associated with individuals of high social status, such as military heroes and rulers. However, over time, it became more widely practiced, with the belief that cremation liberated the soul from the physical body, allowing it to move on to the afterlife. The practice also served practical purposes, as land for burial became scarce in ancient Greece.

In ancient Rome, cremation was the dominant funerary practice until the rise of Christianity. The Romans believed that cremation released the soul from the body and allowed it to join the divine realm. However, as Christianity spread, burial became the preferred method, as it aligned with the Christian belief in bodily resurrection.

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Religious Influences

Religion has played a significant role in shaping the history of cremation. In many Eastern religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, cremation is considered an important ritual. In Hinduism, the cremation ceremony, known as "Antyesti," is seen as a means to break the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, allowing the soul to attain moksha, or liberation from the cycle of reincarnation. Similarly, Buddhism adopted cremation as a way to sever attachments to the physical body and achieve spiritual enlightenment.

Cremation in Modern Times

Cremation experienced a decline during the medieval period in Europe due to the influence of the Catholic Church, which preferred burial. However, with the rise of the Enlightenment and the subsequent decline of religious influence, cremation saw a resurgence.

In 1873, the first modern cremation chamber was built in Milan, Italy, by Professor Brunetti. This development sparked interest in cremation as a hygienic and efficient method of body disposal. Cremation gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in Western countries. The establishment of cremation societies and the construction of crematoria facilitated the practice's growth. In 1876, the first crematorium in the United States was built in Washington, Pennsylvania, and in 1884, the first crematorium in the United Kingdom was established in Woking, Surrey.

Cremation in today¡¯s time: Environment Friendly Cremation

In today¡¯s time, there has been a massive demand for eco-friendly cremation techniques due to the increase in global warming and pollution levels. People are now turning to eco-friendly cremations options which reduce the environmental impact associated with traditional cremation methods. While cremation itself is generally considered more environmentally friendly than burial due to the reduced land use, emissions from the combustion process and the use of energy can still have an impact on the environment. Two such methods are alkaline hydrolysis and bio-cremations.

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Alkaline Hydrolysis: Alkaline hydrolysis (water cremation) is an eco-friendly cremation technique where instead of fire, a combination of water, alkaline chemicals, and heat to accelerate the natural decomposition process.

In this process, a body is placed in a chamber where it undergoes a chemical reaction that breaks down the organic matter into its basic elements. The resulting liquid solution can be safely discharged into the environment whereas the remaining bone fragments are processed into ashes. Comparatively, Alkaline hydrolysis consumes less energy and produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

2. Bio-Cremation: Bio-cremation, also known as flameless cremation is another eco-friendly alternative to traditional cremation. In this process, the body is placed in a chamber filled with a mixture of water and an alkali, such as potassium hydroxide. The chamber is then heated, and the combination of heat, pressure, and alkaline chemicals accelerates the natural decomposition process, similar to alkaline hydrolysis.

The process breaks down the body into its basic chemical components, leaving behind only bone fragments. Like alkaline hydrolysis, bio-cremation consumes less energy and emits fewer pollutants compared to traditional cremation methods.

Both alkaline hydrolysis and bio-cremation offer several environmental benefits. They reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and the release of harmful chemicals into the atmosphere. Additionally, these methods eliminate the need for caskets and embalming fluids, which further reduces environmental impact. As a result, eco-friendly cremation methods have gained popularity among individuals seeking more sustainable end-of-life options.