Side effects of casket burial
Traditional casket burial constitutes a real health and environmental problem. This is especially the case since rapid urbanisation.
Traditional casket burial means that the deceased is buried at significant depth causing it to rot which then in turn pollutes our soil and water.
How casket burial pollutes
The body is buried at such a depth that there is no oxygen, as a result rather than the body naturally decomposing into soil it slowly rots. This causes it to pollute and affect drainage, ground and drinking water as well as earth itself and contributes to eutrophication and oxygen depletion of the seas.
Other problems with casket burial
Embalming: Often embalming takes place with tradition casket burial. Embalming fluid is usually comprised of the carcinogenic chemical formaldehyde which has been proven to pose health risks in funeral homes. There is also the risk of this formaldehyde seeping out and therefore having a toxic impact.
Space: A growing population means large burial grounds are required and these put high demands on preparation, drainage and sewage treatment.
Embalming fluid is usually comprised of the carcinogenic chemical formaldehyde, which has been proven to pose health risks in funeral homes.
Green Burial Council, US
