What Are the Alternatives to Funeral Cremations?

Unless you must have a cremation for religious purposes, there are various alternatives to funeral cremations. It is just a matter of deciding what you would like to have done with your body when you die. It will also be important to convey these wishes to your family and friends and put information within a will. 

As the world is changing, so are the choices for end of life options. There are people who want to be cremated and those who are looking for alternatives to funeral cremations. 

• Burial at sea -  One of the most innovative options to a funeral cremation is having your body buried at sea. This involves having your body wrapped in cloth and dropped into the ocean. This is done a far distance away from the shore line and a anchor or weight is tied to your leg to make sure you do not float. 

• Cryomation - Another popular alternative to funeral cremation is the use of cryomation. This has become popular in the last decade in which people have chosen to be frozen rather than cremated. Using this technique, the person’s body is frozen using liquid nitrogen and then the body is given back to the family as a fine powder. This is said to be a better alternative than cremation because it is considered to be more environmentally friendly. 

• Burial - It is also possible to just have your body buried as an alternative to cremation. You do not have to choose a regular coffin and instead can choose from a variety of eco-friendly coffins made of wood, peat moss or cardboard.

• Donation to science -  Instead of a cremation, another option for you would be to donate your body to science. This would usually mean that medical students or researchers can use your body parts to discover how the human body works. Using this option, your body can also be used to help scientists with medical research.