Eco-Friendly Travel: Greenest Ways to Go
The Rising Cost & Environmental Impact of Funerals in Ireland – and greener Alternatives
Here’s a summary of the key points from the provided text:
The Problem:
* Rising Burial Costs: Traditional burial plots in Ireland, particularly in Dublin, are becoming increasingly expensive, reaching up to €10,000.This is creating an unsustainable situation.
* Cremation’s Environmental Impact: While cremation is becoming more popular (rising from 5% in 1980 to around 20% today),it’s not an eco-friendly solution. Each cremation releases notable amounts of CO2 (200-400kg) due to the use of fossil fuels.
* Limited Eco-Options: Traditional methods are proving to be both financially and environmentally burdensome.
Greener Alternatives:
* Focuses on gentle return to the earth.
* No embalming, ornate coffins, or headstones.
* Biodegradable shrouds or simple coffins are used.
* Burial grounds are managed as wildflower meadows or woodlands, promoting biodiversity.
* Examples in Ireland: Woodbrook (Wexford), Killarney Burial Ground (kerry), Knockma woodland Burials (Galway).
* Aquamation (Water Cremation/Resomation):
* Uses a heated alkaline solution to accelerate natural decomposition.
* Considerably less energy consumption than cremation.
* Zero CO2 emissions and no harmful gases.
* Produces a sterile powder similar to ashes.
* Already in use in parts of Britain.
The article highlights a growing awareness of the environmental impact of traditional funeral practices and presents natural burial and aquamation as viable, more sustainable options for those planning their final farewell.