Environmental Impact of Cremation

Joint replacements, screws, and metal implants that remain after cremation are typically sent to a recycling company. Since these metal components are mixed with the cremated remains after the cremation is complete, they have to be separated from the residue of the ashes and extracted. Extraction may be handled by the crematorium or by the recycling company. After the metals have been recycled, the proceeds are either given back to the crematorium or donated to a charity. 

While replacements and implants are commonly considered as the source of metals following a cremation, metal by-products may also remain if the individual was cremated in a casket. Recycling these metals allows them to be repurposed for other uses. For example, a titanium implant used for a hip replacement can be recycled and repurposed into new parts for an aircraft, or gold used for dental implants may be repurposed for use in electronics. The decision to recycle means that metals that are otherwise rendered useless and discarded after cremation can be transformed into something new and beneficial for other people. 

Recycling was not always a common practice following cremation, but it has gained popularity due to the growing interest in environmentally friendly alternatives. Previously, any remaining metals from cremation were stored until there was enough to warrant burial at the crematorium. However, this practice has become less prevalent because it is not environmentally sustainable compared to recycling. Moreover, most crematoriums require permission from the next of kin to recycle these metals. As some individuals may feel uneasy about having their loved one’s implants or other metal components recycled, they have the option to decline and have these items returned along with the cremated remains.

Sources

Implant Recycling. https://www.implantrecycling.com/ 

“Cremation: What Happens to the Metals in Your Body?” Collier Law. https://collier-law.com/blog/cremation-what-happens-to-the-metals-in-your-body/

“How crematoriums are recovering precious metals from inside the dead”. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/crematoriums-recovering-precious-metals-dead-bodies-1.4623039 

“What Happens to Precious Metals in the Body During Cremation?” TruPoint Memorials. https://trupointmemorials.com/a/s/answers/cremation/what-happens-to-precious-metals-in-the-body-during-cremation 

State environmental protection agencies regulate crematory emissions by way of air permits. Emission regulations can vary by state, but there are standard emission regulations that crematories are expected to adhere to, similar to other business regulations. These regulations include providing emission data to regulating bodies and understanding that visible smoke or emissions are subject to investigation from the state or municipality. Air permits can also indicate approved operating hours, zoning requirements, and the number of pounds that may be cremated within a specific timeframe. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some air quality regulators lifted restrictions on the number of cremations that could be performed or increased operating hours for crematories to help them meet the increased demand for cremations. Although lifted regulations made it easier for crematories to address the influx of bodies, they also raised concerns about the consequences of human and environmental exposure to higher emission levels. As the demand for cremations gradually decreased during the pandemic and regulators transitioned back to enforcing their original limitations, air quality concerns also began to decline. 

Cremations typically release various pollutants into the air, such as nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, mercury, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter, which can negatively impact the environment and the human body. Crematories are expected to maintain and use the appropriate equipment and technology to control and reduce emissions as much as possible. The requirement to provide emission data ensures that crematories will maintain regular monitoring and reporting to achieve compliance with the regulating state body. Ultimately, although cremation emissions are regulated, it is crucial for crematories to consistently implement environmentally friendly practices and new technologies to reduce the overall impact on air quality. 

Sources

“Environmental Impact of Cremation”. Cremation Association of North America. https://www.cremationassociation.org/blog/environmental-impact-of-cremation#:~:text=Now%2C%20in%20addition%20to%20zoning,city%2C%20etc.%2C%20levels. 

“Los Angeles lifts air-quality limits for cremations as Covid doubles death rate”. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/18/los-angeles-covid-coronavirus-deaths-cremation-pandemic 

“Neighbors hope for relief from crematorium smoke as COVID-19 deaths decrease”. Cronkite News. https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2021/03/25/neighbors-hope-for-relief-from-crematorium-smoke-as-covid-19-deaths-decrease/ 

“Round-the-Clock Cremations Stoke Mercury Fears for Neighborhoods”. Bloomberg Law. https://news.bloomberglaw.com/environment-and-energy/round-the-clock-cremations-stoke-mercury-fears-for-neighborhoods 

Understanding the differences in the environmental impact of flame cremation and in-ground burial is important when considering final arrangements. Since cremation typically involves combustion and incineration, it releases carbon dioxide and other harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which can be damaging to the environment and people who are exposed to the pollution. It has been estimated that the fuel usage for one cremation is equivalent to 20 gallons of gas, or providing power for a 2000 square foot home for a week. There are also numerous variables that influence the danger of emissions. These include:

• the type of cremation container used 
• the age of the cremation equipment and how it is maintained
• the number of cremations conducted per day
• the presence or absence of implants in the body during cremation 

In-ground burial also has a negative impact on the environment. Since most bodies are embalmed with traditional burial practices, the chemicals in the embalming solution may leach into the soil and groundwater. One estimate suggests that the ground is exposed to around 800,000 gallons of formaldehyde per year due to traditional burial practices, and this excludes other toxic substances such as phenol. Additionally, most caskets are made of non-biodegradable materials. This can contribute to issues such as depletion of natural resources, deforestation, and overcrowding the land with materials that may not degrade for decades or longer. As an example of the depletion of natural resources, the amount of wood used for caskets over a period of one year is equivalent to around 4 million acres of trees in a forest. 

Since cremation and in-ground burial both have detrimental effects on the environment, looking to alternatives and making adjustments to common practices can help offset the impact. This may mean opting for eco-friendly cremation practices, skipping embalming, using biodegradable funeral caskets and urns, or selecting natural and conservation burial grounds. Ultimately, examining personal preferences and values in relation to environmental concerns is essential when planning for final arrangements. 

Sources

“Environmental Impact of Cremation”. Cremation Association of North America. https://www.cremationassociation.org/blog/environmental-impact-of-cremation 

“Why Conventional Burial Harms the Environment”. Milton Fields. https://miltonfieldsgeorgia.com/conventional-burial-harms-environment/