Everything is going green.....even death.

Yes, even in death you can be earth friendly. In the Pacific Northwest there is no shortage of land to bury your loved one. Anyone who has flown over the area has enjoyed the expansive views of farm land and mountains. Yet, Oregon, Washington, and California have the highest cremation rates in the nation. Some cities in Oregon have a cremation rate of eighty percent!

Cremating one average sized person takes about 3 hours, and requires about 945 cubic feet of natural gas. The newer a crematory (retort) the more efficient it is. Most newer retorts have an after burner that eliminates a good amount of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Older retorts can release large quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Cremating a body in a casket can double the amount of pollutants released, not to mention most caskets are made of either wood or steel. Alternative containers or cremation containers made of cardboard are a less expensive and less polluting option. They also require less energy and natural resources to make.

If cremation is what your wish is, make sure the local crematory has a good retort. Many funeral homes do not have their own retort, but contract with a crematory. You may have to ask the funeral home where their cremations are done. You should always be given the opportunity to see the retort without hesitation. Any reputable funeral home/crematory will accommodate this request as soon as they can. You also have the right to "witness" the cremation of a loved one. The immediate next of kin has to give permission, i.e. spouse, son, daughter, etc. Seeing a cremation most often consists of you watching the crematory personnel placing the casket or alternative container with your loved one inside, into the retort. The door of the retort is then shut. Most retorts are automated. So, after a button is pushed you will hear a roaring sound, but nothing can be seen through the heavy steel door. The time the cremation takes depends on the age and efficiency of the retort, and the size of the person being cremated. Some time is required for the retort to cool down before the cremated remains can be removed. Most retorts will get up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.

It also should be noted that it is impossible to remove every trace of the individual who was cremated before your family member from the retort. Small particles of their cremated remains will be mixed with your loved one. Even if the retort is vacuumed out after each cremation, it is not feasible that all traces would be removed. Most retorts are lined with refractory brick that can withstand the constant stress of intense heat. These bricks crack and pit very quickly and are replaced depending on how many cremations are done in the retort.

One good thing about cremation is the multitude of options a family has. If you keep or scatter the cremated remains, you bypass the cost of a cemetery altogether. In my experience it is nice to have a place to go and reflect about the good times. Scattering cremated remains in the ocean or a favorite hunting spot often are hard to return to. Memorializing in a local cemetery with a plaque or headstone creates a place you can go and be at peace with your thoughts. Grandchildren and other family members will eventually ask where grandpa is. It is nice to be able to direct them to a convenient, serene place to reminisce. You can have the memorial service a year after the death if you want to, or at least 'till the weather gets better. If there are 5 children, all of them can have some of Mom's cremated remains. They can be placed in small urns or even jewelry. They can have some cremated remains blown into artful glass. They can put some in paint and have a portrait of her painted. One company will shoot a small amount of cremated remains into space.

Another good thing about cremation is cost. The price of cremation varies from state to state and even city to city. In a town with one funeral home a cremation with out any funeral that the funeral home is involved with may cost $3,000.00. In a large city like Seattle you can call around and find a company who charges $500.00 or less. Just be sure you are using a reputable company. All funeral homes have to disclose their prices over the phone, by law.

Cremation, as inexpensive and convenient as it is, impacts the environment just as much as burial in my opinion. And I'll elaborate soon.