Green Cremation Vs. Traditional Cremation
By definition, cremation is the process of reducing the body to its basic elements of bone fragments through the use of heat. Unlike traditional flame-based cremation, Green Cremation technology uses water blended with an alkali solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH). The human body is placed into a pressurized stainless steel cremation chamber where water and alkali are automatically added and the temperature is raised to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Water, alkali, heat and pressure are gently circulated over the body, working together to cause a reaction
that begins and completes the cremation process.
Green Cremation is a gentle, eco-friendly alternative to flame-based cremation and casket burials. It is a quiet process that uses water and potassium hydroxide to reduce the body to it's basic element of bone ash. The ashes are then returned to the family. In February of 2006 the Mayo Clinic began using the process in its anatomy bequest program and then pioneered legislation in the state of Minnesota to make Minnesota the first state to have this green and gentle option available to the general public. The process was adapted for funeral home use by the Mayo Clinic in its anatomy bequest program and is now becoming available to the general public. Green Cremation is the first and only firm in Minnesota to provide this revolutionary service.
The Green Cremation Process & Impact
Green Cremation is an extremely environmentally-friendly choice - even greener than flame based cremation - because there are almost zero air emissions admitted into the atmosphere during this process. Green Cremation offers the following environmental advantages over traditional flame-based cremation:
- No vaporized mercury emissions and no filtration or abatement systems required. Mercury from dental amalgam is contained and recycled not vaporized.
- Caskets are not burned, which protects our natural resources and produces less CO2.
- Low carbon footprint: 4x less carbon impact versus traditional flame cremation. Green cremation also reduces the use of fossil fuels and minimizes greenhouse gases.
- Energy efficient: 1/8 the energy usage versus traditional flame cremation.
- By-product (effluent) is safe with no harmful chemical or microbial contamination.
- Preserves 20+% more bone fragments than traditional flame cremation.
- Embalming fluid is neutralized and cytotoxic drugs are destroyed in the process.
- Pacemakers do not need to be surgically removed prior to the process.
- Medical implants are unaffected and can possibly be recycled.
The sterile by-product (effluent) from Green Cremation which is made up of small peptides, sugars, amino acids, and soaps is sent to water recycling through municipal water treatment where it is filtered, purified and recycled back to earth either through the aquifer, lakes, streams and non potable water use. In essence, the body is recycled without harm to the environment. With Green Cremation, we return to the earth through a cycle of life, helping to promote new life as nature intended it to occur.
Visit our Green Cremation website to learn more: www.greencremation.com
