For reasons related to tradition and religious beliefs, most people either bury or cremate their loved ones when they die. The decision between traditional burial and cremation is often made quickly, without considering the environmental impact. I doubt that most people, especially in rural communities, are aware of what burning a corpse on a pyre or embalming it with formaldehyde does to the environment. While traditional burial and cremation methods are still widely practised, their impact on the environment is being increasingly scrutinized.
In this guide, we will explore which option—burial or cremation—is more eco-friendly. We will examine their environmental impacts, compare their ecological advantages, and highlight greener alternatives that have been developed recently. Our analysis will include expert opinions and studies that assess the environmental consequences of these practices.
The Growing Demand for Eco-Friendly Funerals
Due to the growing concern about sustainability in many aspects of life, unhealthy funeral practices have drawn the attention of environmentalists and other eco-conscious individuals. As we continue to witness changes in weather patterns due to climate change, more people should reconsider the final disposition of their deceased loved ones and lean toward more eco-friendly options.
According to a 2024 report by the WHYY, the Funeral Consumers Alliance, the Green Burial Council, and the US Today, about 64% of Americans are interested in exploring eco-friendly burial options. European countries like Sweden, the UK, and the Netherlands are also adopting greener alternative methods at a fast pace.
A 2023 study by the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) states that cremation rates in the United States have surpassed burial, with 57.5% of Americans opting for cremation. However, 36.6% of Americans still prefer traditional burial. The study also highlighted the fast-growing interest in green burial alternatives –with 60% of respondents indicating they would consider green funeral methods.
Burial: Traditional with a Heavy Ecological Toll
Traditional burial has been the customary and preferred method of final disposition for centuries. It is a practice favoured by many due to traditional and religious beliefs. However, preserving a body with formaldehyde and other toxic substances remains a significant environmental concern.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), formaldehyde is not only a human carcinogen but also poses a long-term environmental risk. In the United States, more than 4.3 million gallons of embalming fluid containing formaldehyde are buried each year. These toxic chemicals may seep into the soil, contaminating groundwater and nearby ecosystems.
“Formaldehyde leaching from embalmed bodies poses a significant environmental threat,” says Dr Maria Hernandez, an environmental toxicologist. “It can persist in the soil for years, creating a chain reaction that impacts water sources and plant life.”
Coffin Production and Resource Consumption
Traditional burial also places a significant strain on the environment, from the contamination caused by formaldehyde to the use of coffins made from hardwood, steel, and other non-biodegradable materials. A report by the Funeral Consumers Alliance estimated that approximately 90,000 tons of steel and 1.6 million tons of concrete are buried annually in American cemeteries.
The global coffin industry relies on hardwood to make coffins, which directly contributes to deforestation. According to a report by the Rainforest Alliance, hardwood coffin production in North America and Europe is responsible for the loss of 12 million hectares of forests annually.
Land Use and Space Concerns
Cemeteries, especially in urban areas, occupy large spaces, and some are nearing capacity. A report by London.gov.uk projected that burial space in London will be exhausted within the next 10 years. As demand for burial land increases, more land may need to be repurposed for cemeteries.
The environmental consequences of traditional burials extend beyond land use. Buried bodies pose a threat to the environment through the contamination of soil and water by formaldehyde and other toxic substances, such as those from embalming fluids and dental fillings. These toxins can harm local plant life and affect water tables.
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Cremation: Convenience with Carbon Costs
What Is Cremation?
Cremation is a burial method that has existed for centuries. It is a fossil-fuel-driven process that involves burning a dead body at a high temperature, typically between 1,400 and 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit (760 to 1,093 degrees Celsius). Cremation reduces human remains to ashes, which are then handed to the family to handle as they wish.
Although incinerating bodies at a crematorium may seem more eco-friendly than traditional burial, cremation is not without environmental consequences
Carbon Emissions from Cremation
Cremating a body is energy-intensive. According to National Geographic, each cremation generates an average of 534.6 pounds of CO2, which is equivalent to driving a petrol vehicle for over 600 miles. In the United States, for example, cremation generates about 0.02% of national greenhouse gas emissions.
According to Professor Anne Thompson, an environmental studies expert at Stanford University and a former researcher at NASA, cremation may seem like a more convenient option, particularly as a space-saving alternative to burial. Still, the energy consumption from the high temperature is staggering, as it consumes a significant amount of fossil fuel. Each cremation adds to the cumulative burden of carbon emissions that accelerate climate change.”
Air Pollution and Mercury Emissions
While CO2 emission is an environmental concern, cremation also releases other pollutants, such as mercury from dental fillings. Mercury is a neurotoxin that is harmful to both human health and ecosystems. The United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) estimates that cremation is responsible for 5 to 120% of global mercury emissions. In the UK, cremation contributes to 16% of mercury emissions from human activities, according to a report.
Many countries have imposed strict regulations for crematories to install mercury filters or remove dental fillings from corpses before cremation. However, some facilities still do not adhere to these strict environmental standards continuing to release toxic fumes into the atmosphere.
Energy-Intensive Process
As mentioned earlier, cremation is an energy-intensive process that relies on natural gas or propane. A report by the American Council on Science and Health claims that the average cremation consumes between 20 and 40 cubic meters of natural gas.
According to US Funerals Online, the environmental footprint of cremation is often underestimated—pointing out the reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, the process of cremation consumes high energy, leading to a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants.
Eco-Friendly Alternative to Traditional Burial and Cremation
Traditional burial and cremation methods cause significant, often irreversible damage to the environment. As a result, sustainable burial alternatives are gaining popularity. Let’s explore some of them below:
#1. Natural (Green) Burial
Natural burial or green burial is the first sustainable alternative on our list. Green burials use biodegradable coffins, and no formaldehyde or concrete vault is required. The body is buried in a manner that allows natural decomposition, as the body returns nutrients to the soil
According to a 2018 report in the New York Times, natural burials significantly reduce carbon emissions. A study also noted that the carbon sequestration potential of trees planted in conservation burial grounds could offset the emissions associated with body transportation and other logistical factors.
According to Dr. Billy Campbell, founder of the Memorial Ecosystems and advocate for conservation burial practices, green burials not only reduce emissions and chemical leaching that degrade the environment but also offer a way to conserve land by creating nature reserves that benefit ecosystems and biodiversity.
#2. Human Composting (Recomposition)
Another eco-friendly burial alternative is human composting or recomposition. This process involves placing a body in a vessel filled with organic materials like alfalfa, wood, chips, and straws. Microbial activities trigger natural decomposition, taking 30 to 40 days for the body to turn into nutrient-rich soil.
Human composting is legal in a few U.S. states. Washington was the first state to legalize recomposition in 2021. Other states where human composting is permitted include Colorado, Oregon, Nevada, Vermont, New York, Minnesota, Arizona, Maine, Delaware, California, and Maryland.
“Recomposition is a regenerative process that returns the body to the earth in the most literal sense. It aligns with the natural carbon cycle and provides a meaningful way to offset climate change,” says Dr Lynne Carpenter-Boggs, a soil scientist and professor at Washington State University who helped develop the first human composting facility.
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#3. Tree Pods
Tree pod also referred to as Capsula Mundi, involves placing a corpse in a biodegradable pod, which is buried with a tree sapling planted on top. As the body decomposes, it provides nutrients for the tree. This method is environmentally friendly, family members of the deceased can visit the growing tree to remember their loved one, instead of visiting a cemetery.
Studies suggest tree-planting burial initiatives could sequester 14.5 gigatons of CO2 globally in the next 50 years.
#4. Alkaline Hydrolysis (Water Cremation)
Alkaline hydrolysis also known as water cremation is a final disposition method that uses a water-based solution to dissolve the body’s tissue, leaving only bones. These bones are then pulverized into a fine powder and returned to the deceased family. Water cremation uses 90% less energy compared to cremation, which relies on fossil fuels.
According to a report, water cremation has the lowest carbon footprint of all cremation and burial options. It poses no risk of contamination to the soil or water and takes up little space for a complete set-up.
Making a Greener Choice: Key Factors to Consider
Tradition and strong religious beliefs will continue to influence the decision of most people to persist with unsustainable burial practices. These practices have lasted for centuries, but awareness of their environmental impact is growing, and more people are choosing green burial alternatives over energy-intensive methods.
If you have yet to decide whether to adopt green burial options, here are some factors that should influence your decision:
- Carbon Emissions: Cremation consumes large amounts of energy to incinerate bodies at high temperatures. On average, cremation lasts about 3 to 4 hours, during which carbon dioxide and, potentially, mercury—a neurotoxin harmful to human health—are released into the air. Embalming fluids and non-biodegradable materials used in traditional burials also negatively impact the environment.
- Land Use: Cemeteries are taking up more land in urban areas, and many will soon run out of space. While a crematorium doesn’t require land, its CO2 emissions remain a serious concern.
- Pollution: Traditional burials can contaminate soil and groundwater with formaldehyde and other toxic chemicals. Cremation may release mercury that pollutes the environment.
- Renewable Alternatives: Sustainable burial options are rapidly gaining popularity, with methods such as natural or green burial, tree pods, alkaline hydrolysis, and human composting. These environmentally friendly alternatives require no toxic chemicals, land, or non-biodegradable coffins.
Expert Consensus on Eco-Friendly Funeral Practices
According to a 2022 report by the Green Burial Council, over 70% of environmental scientists agree that natural burial and human composting are the most sustainable funeral alternatives. An expert in the field, Kimberley Campbell, who helps manage Ramsey Creek Preserve, emphasizes the need to adopt practices that actively regenerate ecosystems and avoid modern embalming and heavy machinery
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Final Verdict: Burial vs. Cremation –Which is More Eco-Friendly?
Based on studies, data, and expert insights, it is clear that neither traditional burial nor cremation is the best option for the environment. These methods have been practised for centuries, yet they continue to cause significant harm to the planet. Cremation generates CO2 and potentially mercury, while traditional burial contributes to long-term environmental degradation through land use and toxic fluid contamination.
Alkaline hydrolysis, human composting, tree pods, and green burials are far more environmentally friendly alternatives, as they involve no toxic chemicals, no land consumption, and no non-biodegradable coffins.
Verdict: If you must choose between cremation and conventional burial, cremation may have a slightly smaller environmental footprint—especially if energy-efficient technologies are used or carbon offset programs are implemented.