Planning a burial service is often emotionally difficult and sometimes complicated. While cremation of a loved one is an easy decision for some, it is not so easy for others. Although some people choose cremation for physical and spiritual reasons, others reject the cremation process for environmental convictions.
What Is Water Cremation?
During the process of water cremation, the deceased body is placed in a special stainless steel chamber. Within this chamber, water and an alkali solution of potassium hydroxide are administered on the body. A combination of water, heat, and the alkali solution surround the body for about 4 hours.
Each part of the process works together to reduce the body to ash. This is a quieter process than flame-based cremation which burns the body. During water cremation, the body is gently reduced to bone and is returned back to the earth.
Local Crematorium Wants To Offer Water Cremation
The Rowley Regis Crematorium, located in West Midlands, may be the first to offer water cremation services to families. The local council has been granted permission to use the process, but government officials have rejected the idea.
Environmental Pros and Cons
Certain government officials in the U.K. are hesitant to legalize this process. The fear is that the people will not accept the idea of water cremation. They may also fear this process will filter human DNA into the water system.
Water cremation has been an acceptable form of burial in most of the United States. While it is still undergoing evaluation in the U.K., many companies are willing to test it out. This form of cremation has proven to be better for the environment since it:
- Uses less energy to operate
- Is less expensive than other burial forms
- Prevents cemeteries from increasing resources
There have been a few companies who dispute this idea and they have assured the public that the process is safe. They have also assured the officials that there is no DNA in the water when it’s returned to the system. Sandwell Council will continue to work hard to legalize the process.