ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF CREMATION

CANA has a history of studying cremation emissions and technology. Early CANA members built crematories on cemetery property with architectural beauty as a priority over fuel efficiency. It was common practice for the crematory to be custom-built below a chapel and columbarium to accommodate the funeral, cremation process and memorial placement of the urn in one building. These setups put the needs of the grieving first to promote memorialization. Fuel efficiency was an early topic of discussion, but the focus was on making a crematory business work efficiently.
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Post-World War II, as manufacturing techniques improved and demand for cremation equipment increased, crematory manufacturers moved toward assembly line production with homogeneous construction and parts. Machines were manufactured at the plant and shipped around the country, or the world, for installation and service. This proactive practice continues to present day and typically places uniform function over beautiful form.

In 1996, when the national cremation rate was 21.8%, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) turned its attention to regulating crematories. CANA and the US EPA formed a working group to examine scientific studies on emissions and make informed recommendations to federal environmental regulators. The working group decided that the current studies were too few and varied so they commissioned and oversaw a study at a CANA-member site, The Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York. Called “The Woodlawn Study,” its findings resulted in classification of crematories as small source emitters since deceased human bodies are distinctly different from solid waste (such as garbage and treatment plants) and should be regulated separately. The study also determined that states should continue to regulate crematories rather than the US EPA.
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There is a persistent myth that human and pet crematories are unregulated, but that is false. Now, in addition to zoning, licensing, and other business regulations, emissions are regulated by state environmental protection agencies through air permits. Every state manages this differently; however, crematories are most definitely regulated at the state, county, city, etc., levels. These layers of regulation create significant barriers to entry for new crematories, including businesses who want to improve or expand existing operations.

common emissions regulations

Cremation laws, regulations, and licensing on emissions are managed at the state/provincial and local levels. While the specific rules vary widely among the states and provinces, generally:

1. Visible particulate matter, or smoke, is an actionable concern. Crematory equipment is designed to minimize particulate matter emission, but, as covered below, many factors contribute to emissions. If the public has concerns about smoke or emissions emanating from the crematory, the state or municipality has jurisdiction to investigate on behalf of the public.
2. The burden of providing emission data falls to the manufacturer via the crematory owner. When a crematory owner installs or updates a cremator, they will be required to submit emission data or conduct a study on their property to the regulating body(ies). Emission studies are referenced when issuing air permits that determine the operating restrictions within which crematories must function. The air permit may reference operating hours; pounds cremated per day, week or month; and other zoning variances or conditions.
3. Different regions within the US have different standards and concerns about emissions. For example, Great Lakes states and provinces focus heavily on reducing mercury emissions, while the California and the west coast looks at nitrous oxide (NOx) and other carcinogenic chemicals generated via combustion. The good news for consumers is that machines are manufactured to meet emission standards in every state and province, so they generally exceed local standards.

WHAT IS THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF CREMATION TODAY?

We know that the environment is on everyone’s minds, not to mention the safety of our communities. There are many factors that play a part in crematory operations and emission. For example, the science of combustion accounts for the fuel sources – the gas that powers the cremator, residual heat from previous cremations, the plant matter of the casket/container, the tissues of the body, and the oxygen in the air – to get as close to Complete or Perfect Combustion as possible, resulting only in carbon monoxide (CO) or dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and water (H2O). Complete Combustion is impossible since there are so many variables to manage throughout the cremation process, but modern cremators, and best practices in the crematory, get as close as possible.
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In addition to combustion, there are other variables that impact emissions, including:

• Clothing and keepsakes placed in the cremation container along with the deceased human or pet body
• Implants, dental fillings and crowns, prosthetics, and eyeglasses
• Cremation containers, which are generally required and may be constructed from materials ranging from a plastic body bag, cardboard container, plywood, willow, or bamboo to highly varnished wood caskets, as well as a combination of containers (e.g., a body bag in a cardboard container or casket, a casket in a plywood air tray container for shipping, etc.)
• The age of the cremator, number of cremations per day, maintenance practices, etc. can all contribute to fuel efficiency and the resulting carbon footprint of cremation.
• Filtration Equipment, which is required in Europe but not in North America. Some businesses have opted to install filtration equipment to address community concerns or lessen environmental impact. Filtration equipment can be added to some existing machines to better monitor and limit emissions, but this is a business decision rather than a requirement.

we can all do our part to do better

Because each deceased human is unique, each cremation has a unique set of variables that ultimately determines emissions. Regulations often outline limits and ranges for operations, but people generally want to know specifics as they relate to other energy users and emissions.
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Questions:

• What is the carbon footprint of cremation? Depends on the formula used to determine carbon footprint.
• What goes up that smokestack? Depends on the variables above.
• What is the average fuel usage? See our chart below:

FUEL USAGE BY CREMATORIES

​In the chart below, a number of conversions are represented to make comparisons. Most crematories and homes use natural gas as a fuel for heat. This fuel is converted to cubic feet and then to British Thermal Units (BTUs) which measures energy needed to heat one degree. SUVs run on gasoline which is converted to cubic feet.

Sources: https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php and https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/units-and-calculators/energy-conversion-calculators.php

WHAT ABOUT THE WHOLE CREMATION INDUSTRY?

The chart above looks at the fuel consumed by one cremation. The common mistake is assuming that natural gas is the only fuel source used in a cremation, when air, the cremation container, and body fat are also fuel sources. Let’s look at the cremation industry as a whole. Per CANA's Annual Statistics Report:

• In 2019, there were 3,105 crematories in the United States and 362 in Canada.
• In 2019, there were 1,550,241 cremations in the US and 203,045 in Canada

Based on the energy calculations above, all 3,500 crematories in the USA and Canada combined use 1/10th the natural gas as just one power plant fueled by natural gas each year. In other words, decommissioning one natural gas fueled power plant would have ten times the positive environmental impact as taking all crematories off-line. In the US and Canada, renewable energy is on the rise, while coal and natural gas fueled power plants are on the decline. In comparison industry to industry, crematories continue to be a small source of emissions.

what can you do differently?

Whatever part you play in the cremation journey, you can do your part to make a difference! Here are some ideas on how anyone can lessen the environmental impact of cremation and any funeral practice.

FOR EVERYONE

• Determine your carbon footprint in death – compare this information on cremation with other disposition methods, set goals and budget
• Pre-plan services and disposition and tell your family and friends to ensure your wishes are carried out.
• Research greener options and select urns, cremation containers, clothing and keepsakes for cremation in advance to ensure minimal emissions.
• Replace fillings and dental implants with mercury-free options. Dentists are phasing out the use of mercury in dental amalgam and implants to avoid expensive abatement equipment and reporting. So, if you need an old filling replaced or new crown or implant, choose porcelain to minimize the use of mercury in dental amalgam.
• New cremation technology and equipment are better for the environment because they meet modern standards with current capabilities. When selecting a cremation provider, ask about their equipment and commitment to minimize emissions. When a new crematory is opening or updating in your community, support this project.

FOR THE FUNERAL DIRECTOR

• Explore and implement:
  • Green funeral practices
  • Offer green products and merchandise in your selection room
  • Research and recommend local green and hybrid cemetery options
• Overall business practices – go paperless, recycle, electric or hybrid fleet, alternative energy, LEED certification, offer body preparation and viewing without embalming or embalm with formaldehyde-free products

FOR CEMETERIANS

• Offer cremation-friendly placement options in addition to burial. Build a scattering garden, incorporate a columbarium into a wall or mausoleum or standalone with gardens. Review and revise existing policies and procedures to be cremation positive, allowing for multiple memorial options.
• Explore becoming a hybrid cemetery and offer natural or green burial options
• Seek arboretum status and involve community groups like bird watchers or school groups to enjoy the cemetery
• Support wildlife with water features and natural shelter
• Overall business practices – go paperless, recycle, electric or hybrid fleet, alternative energy, LEED certification

FOR CREMATORIES

• Maintain existing equipment – cremators, refrigerators, etc.
• Regularly update equipment
• Order cremations for fuel efficiency and schedule several on one day rather than over the week to conserve heat.
• Consider metal recycling – some medical implants can be donated to organizations for reuse. All metal can have a second life in the manufacturing chain.
• Consider filtration if it is appropriate for your business.
• Hold open houses, encourage viewing and witnessing and generally demystify cremation.
• Formulate specific answers to your crematory’s carbon footprint, fuel usage, and consider carbon offsets.

Cremation is the new tradition with greater than 55% of Americans and 73% of Canadians choosing it in 2019. While crematories are widely available, areas with lower cremation rates may need new and expanded crematory businesses to meet the growing demand. As a business owner, it’s important to meet your communities' needs with options and information. As a citizen of the Earth, it’s important to do our part in preserving it for the future.

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​Do you want to continue the conversation on green funeral practices? Join Passages and CANA on November 10 at 1:00 pm CT for the last of a three-part webinar series on keeping up with the changing needs of families. Part three will focus on elevating your cremation quality of service and will explore more sustainable solutions for your cremation families and your business. We plan to delve into current norms, the latest data, and provide concrete steps on how to better align with families to remain relevant in this changing cremation landscape.
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Did you miss the first two webinars in the green funeral practices series? You can watch the recordings, and many more, on-demand for free! Visit goCANA.org/webinars for the full catalog.

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Barbara Kemmis is Executive Director of the Cremation Association of North America.