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Understanding Green Cremation

Tania Tack • October 3, 2016

What is Green Cremation?

Also known as ‘bio-cremation’, ‘Aqua-Cremation’, or resomation, green cremation is a gentle, environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional cremations and casket burials. It is a quiet process that uses water and potassium hydroxide to reduce the deceased’s body to its basic element of bone ash.

What is the Difference Between Bio-Cremation and Traditional Cremation?

Traditional Cremation

Traditional Cremation is the rapid oxidation of the deceased through the application of intense heat and flame reducing the remains to bone fragments (not ashes) within a few hours.

  • Cremations are done individually
  • If the deceased had a pacemaker, the pacemaker will be removed by the funeral director prior to the transfer to the crematorium
  • Cremations begins once the cremation container is placed within the cremation chamber
  • Subjected to intense heat of 1400°F-1800°F
  • All substances are consumed except bone fragments (calcium compounds) and any non-combustible materials, such as jewelry, dental gold, prosthetics, etc. (the temperature is not high enough to consume them)
  • The duration of a standard cremation is 1 ½ Hours to 3 Hours
  • Following a cooling period, the cremated remains are then swept or raked from the cremation chamber
  • Once the bone fragments have been separated they will be further processed to reduce the size of the bone fragments to uniform particles (cremated remains, also known as ashes)
  • The cremated remains are then placed in an urn selected by the family or into a temporary urn issued by the crematorium.

Bio-Cremation

Bio-Cremation is the rapid oxidation of the deceased through the application of water and alkali solution, reducing the remains to bone fragments within a few hours.

  • The deceased is placed into a pressurized stainless steel cremation chamber
  • Water (95%) and alkali (5%) are added and the temperature is raised to 302°F
  • Water, alkali, heat, and pressure are gently circulated over the body, working together to cause a reaction that begins and completes the cremation process
  • Body is reduced to bone fragments and a sterile solution is recycled to the earth
  • The cremated remains are then placed in an urn selected by the family or into a temporary urn.

The End Result of Bio-Cremation

Whether a family chooses burial, flame-based cremation or bio-cremation, the end result is the same – the body will be reduced to bone ash. The only difference is the time is takes for the process to take place and the stimulus that supports the transition.

Disposition Stimulant Time
Burial Soil and microorganisms 25 Years
Flame-Based Cremation Flame created by CH4 Natural Gas or C3H8 Propane Gas 2-3 Hours
Bio-Cremation Water (95%) and Potassium Hydroxide (KOH)/Alkali (5%) 2-3 Hours

Environmentally-Friendly Benefits of Bio-Cremation

  • Most environmentally-friendly option
  • Nearly zero air emissions admitted into the atmosphere during the process
  • Mercury from dental amalgam is contained and recycled, not vaporized
  • NO casket required which protects natural resources and produces less Co2
  • Reduces use of fossil fuels and minimizes greenhouse gases
  • â…› energy usage versus traditional flame cremation
  • By-product is safe with no harmful chemical or microbial contamination
  • Preserves approximately 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 green cremation
  • Medical implants are unaffected and can be recycled

A Natural Life Cycle

The sterile by-product made up of peptides, sugars, amino acids, and soap is sent through municipal water treatment where it is filtered, purified, and recycled back to earth through aquifer, lakes, streams. In essence, the body is recycled without harm to the environment. With green cremation, loved ones are returned to the earth through a cycle of life, helping to promote new life as nature intended.

Can a Family still Plan a Funeral with Bio-Cremation?

A family can still plan a visitation and funeral with their loved one present prior to the green cremation taking place. A family may also alternatively choose to have a memorial service to honour the life of their loved one with the urn present once the bio-cremation takes place.

Learn more about our Service Options

The post Understanding Green Cremation appeared first on Basic Funerals.

Why Do Funeral Directors Ask About Pacemakers?

October 7, 2022
Funeral Directors routinely ask families during the arrangement process about pacemakers. Standard safety precautions are in place because of the explosive potential of pacemakers when heated. Pacemakers explode during the cremation process because of the rapid formation of gas which bursts the pacemaker’s casing. An explosion during the cremation process could cause serious damage to the crematorium chamber, as […] The post Why Do Funeral Directors Ask About Pacemakers? appeared first on Basic Funerals.

The Ritual of Spring Burials In Local Cemeteries

By Tania Tack • April 29, 2022
When a death occurs in the winter months, it is quite common that the burial can’t take place until the spring. Our region has long, cold winters and this hinders a cemetery’s ability to conduct burials due to the frozen ground. It is not unusal for many families in our smaller communities thoughout Ontario to […] The post The Ritual of Spring Burials In Local Cemeteries appeared first on Basic Funerals.

Death and Taxes

By Tania Tack • March 24, 2022
Tax rules are often complicated and never fun. In the case of pre-arrangements that is no different. When you pre-arrange your funeral there are some things to consider from a tax perspective that we hope to cover here. We will do our best, but unfortunately, we are not accountants and can’t give you personal advice […] The post Death and Taxes appeared first on Basic Funerals.

The Grave Woman

By Tania Tack • December 10, 2020
The funeral industry is changing. Catapulting that change are women like The Grave Woman, Joél Simone Anthony. She is based in Atlanta, Georgia, but is making waves all over the United States with her alternative approach to funeral service. We had the pleasure of speaking with her and learning more about her work. Joél Simone Anthony […] The post The Grave Woman appeared first on Basic Funerals.

Intestate: Dying Without A Will and How it Impacts Funeral Arrangements

By Tania Tack • November 24, 2020
Living without a will may relieve a person from having to think about their own mortality. Living without a will may also save a person some time and money. However, dying without a will can cause grave challenges and obstacles for those left behind. Dying in intestate means that the deceased person did not leave a Will. […] The post Intestate: Dying Without A Will and How it Impacts Funeral Arrangements appeared first on Basic Funerals.

Prepare Your Estate: Your Executor Will Thank You

By Tania Tack • November 10, 2020
Being appointed an Executor is often seen as an honour, but it can also be an extremely daunting task. The person selected to look after estate matters is often also likely to be the person grieving the most. In an effort to alleviate the stress associated with being an Executor or Administrator, we have compiled […] The post Prepare Your Estate: Your Executor Will Thank You appeared first on Basic Funerals.

Basic Funerals Awarded Best Rated Funeral Home

By Tania Tack • August 31, 2020
Basic Funerals has been listed as one of the Top 3 Best-Rated Funeral Homes. We are so grateful for the opportunity to serve such welcoming communities. We would not be considered ‘best-rated’ without you! Recognition for Excellence Our team was recognized for providing consistent high quality services in our area of business. We were reviewed by […] The post Basic Funerals Awarded Best Rated Funeral Home appeared first on Basic Funerals.

6 Ways Funerals (Can Still) Help Mourners Grieve

By Tania Tack • July 9, 2020
By guest blogger, Carrie Fawcett: Celebrant Ceremonies like funerals and memorials are intended to both honour the life of a loved one and meet the needs of those left behind. If current public health limits have you question if it is still possible to have a “good” funeral, I encourage you to see those limits […] The post 6 Ways Funerals (Can Still) Help Mourners Grieve appeared first on Basic Funerals.

Repatriation: How Covid-19 is Keeping Us From Home

By Tania Tack • June 12, 2020
Repatriation: How Covid-19 is Keeping Us From Home The long-lasting Covid-19 pandemic still has an impact on how the death industry is able to conduct services. Funeral and memorial services are still limited to small groups of 10 attendees and burials are to happen as soon as possible. Many funeral providers have also implemented new […] The post Repatriation: How Covid-19 is Keeping Us From Home appeared first on Basic Funerals.

The Healing Benefits of Meditation: Introducing Headspace.com

By Tania Tack • May 25, 2020
Basic Funerals and Headspace Promotion Basic Funerals has always worked hard to go beyond the funeral. We care about the families we serve. We understand that these difficult times make it even harder to grieve the death of a loved one. For this reason, we have coordinated an offer with Headspace.com to provide our families […] The post The Healing Benefits of Meditation: Introducing Headspace.com appeared first on Basic Funerals.
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