4 Environmental Benefits of Cremation

Asides from affordability, one of the reasons to choose cremation services in Phoenix, AZ over burial services is the environmental impact. Compared to burials, cremation has a lower carbon footprint.

Here are four eco-friendly benefits of cremation.

Cremation does not require embalming chemicals

Granted, this does not necessarily apply to traditional cremation, but it applies to direct cremation and green cremation.

With both forms of cremation, you don’t have to embalm the body for public viewing.

Embalming fluids contain harmful chemicals like formaldehyde. When it leaks into the soil, it pollutes the land and water and negatively affects plants and animals.

You or your loved one can rest peacefully when you opt for cremation, knowing your choice benefits the environment.

Cremation saves land space

Many parts of the world are running out of burial space, including the United States. With the earth having limited land space, cremation helps conserve what’s left of it.

Once the body has been turned to ashes, it can either be scattered or kept in an urn, both of which require far less space than a casket.

Saving land resources enables us to allocate them for other needs like housing and agriculture.

It also saves your pocketbook. The scarcity of burial space has led to a sharp increase in the cost of burial plots.

Cremation saves energy and raw materials

Whatever type of cremation you choose, you will be saving on natural materials like wood, stone, and metals. These materials are used for caskets, headstones, and other memorial structures.

Foregoing these items benefits the environment with the added advantage of saving you money.

Also, cremation provides logistical flexibility, allowing you to cut down on the energy consumption of transporting the coffin and arranging a burial service with guests.

You can organize the memorial whenever you want, use eco-friendly decorations, and choose a convenient location that requires fewer people to travel.

Cremation offers eco-friendly storage options

Most cremations happen shortly after death. Sometimes, it is not even necessary with direct cremation as the body goes straight into the crematorium from the place of passing.

Without the need to refrigerate, you save on energy consumption, but that’s not all.

Cremated ashes are kept in an urn, and there are biodegradable materials. Some urns are made of water-soluble materials, and others can be used to plant trees and flowers.

Even ‘storage’ options like scattering the ashes have zero negative impact on the environment, making it an eco-friendly choice.

Something to note though: if you or your loved one chooses to scatter the ashes, make sure to follow EPA guidelines. For instance, if you are scattering at sea, ensure you are at least three miles from the shore.

In summary, cremation avoids leaching harmful chemicals into the ground, saves energy and natural resources, has eco-friendly storage, and conserves more land.

If you are considering cremation for yourself or a loved one, reach out to us. Our Phoenix, AZ cremation service offers a variety of services, including direct cremation, traditional cremation, and more. Contact us or visit our office for a free consultation.