| Cremation has for centuries been a respectful and | | | | completely "green" way is a straight burial, it's more |
| proper mode of burial. For many cultures, it is the | | | | important to minimize these impacts rather than try to |
| exclusive form of burial for many spiritual and practical | | | | eliminate them entirely. |
| reasons. In this country, people have the choice | | | | Probably the biggest environmental impact of burial is |
| between these two options, both of which are | | | | the space that it takes up. For many cultures that had |
| acceptable ways to a lay a person to rest. Burial is by | | | | a large amount of land available to them, this was |
| far much older than cremation, and cremation itself | | | | never a problem. However, these days, land is |
| often goes through many different vogues as it has | | | | becoming increasingly scarce especially in and around |
| for centuries, being accepted for a time, disregarded, | | | | cities. This use of space is often looked at by some |
| only to be brought back into the cultural fold. Many | | | | people as an inconvenience to others after burial since |
| people have now begun to consider the environmental | | | | the body must be moved if a need for land in the |
| impacts and other comparative elements of their burial, | | | | future occurs. |
| and for this reason, it's good to know the different | | | | Cremation allows for the use of urns. Many people |
| impacts of these two very different burial methods. | | | | prefer this option as it allows a person's remains to not |
| Speaking in terms of the environment, both burial | | | | only take up less space, but be transported more |
| methods have negative impacts on the environment to | | | | easily. Additionally, many people enjoy the idea of being |
| some degree. Cremation involved burning, which puts | | | | close to their loved ones, in their home usually, so |
| emissions into the atmosphere. It's currently debated | | | | cremation is a very positive option for this reason. |
| whether this has a strong impact, but evidence now | | | | It's ultimately up to the individual to decide what is best, |
| does point to the release of several harsh chemicals | | | | however the choice will never be solely on its practical |
| into the air during the process. Burial on the other hand, | | | | merits. A person and their beliefs will always trump |
| puts material into the ground that can seep into the | | | | more pedantic concerns, which are very minor in |
| local water system and surrounding plant life. Neither of | | | | comparison. |
| these are very beneficial, but because the only | | | | |