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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:

* Natural Burial:

* ⁢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.