16/03/2026
Scotland has become the first in the UK to legalise resomation.
Also known as water cremation, and technically referred to as alkaline hydrolysis, it is an alternative method to traditional cremation. The end result is much the same, with the remains turned into a powder similar to ashes.
Despite the claims that this is a more sustainable option, there are some concerns regarding increased water usage, which comes with its own environmental implications. As a result, we wanted to highlight the range of other sustainable choices that are currently available, or may potentially become legalised in the future:
- Natural burials allow the dead to be buried in designated areas of burial grounds that are kept in their natural state
- Woodland burials involve burying the deceased in a biodegradable coffin in a woodland area or meadow
- Biodegradable coffins and urns allow the body to be returned to the earth or even used to nourish the growth of fresh wildlife
- Terramation accelerates the decomposition of a body into nutrient-rich soil, which can then be used in several ways to honour the dead and support new life. However, this method is currently not available in the UK.
Despite what you might expect, the funeral industry looks to utilise new technologies and ideas to advance beyond the traditional methods. You can find out more about these sustainable methods by clicking here 👉 https://towners.co.uk/our-services/funerals/alternative-funerals/?utm_source=SocialMedia&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=OrganicSocial