Green burials not only feel like a most natural farewell, their environmental impact is a fraction of more traditional methods. Laura Sheenan, funeral co-ordinator on the FHT’s green burial team, investigated the climate impact of the four main methods – here’s how the research stacks up.
Recently I was asked about the climate impacts of green burials compared to cremation. This set me to investigating the emissions of the four main body disposal methods. Given the growing awareness around these issues, it’s interesting to compare how they rank.
While no method of human body disposal is entirely emission-free, it is particularly encouraging to note that green burials have the least environmental impact. Each method entails the use of materials, transportation and energy requirements; however, green (or natural) burials emerge as the most sustainable option, potentially offsetting carbon emissions through ecological restoration. This low-impact approach is applicable both in Scotland and globally.
There are currently four legal methods for disposing of a human body in Scotland, each with varying environmental impacts:
- Traditional Burial – approximately 250kg CO₂e (ranging from 100-400kg CO₂e per burial, depending on the materials used).
- Cremation – approximately 250kg CO₂e (ranging from 200-300kg CO₂e due to the burning of coffins using natural gas; electric crematoria are not commonly used).
- Green/Natural Burial – approximately 10-50kg CO₂e (with potential offsets through tree or grassland planting. This remains the lowest emissions option even if electric crematoria become available).
- Resomation/Aquamation (an emerging method, not widely available in Scotland) – approximately 20-50kg CO₂e.
Another emerging method is human composting or ‘terramation’, which is not yet available in Scotland but could approach near-zero emissions if implemented.
Climate Impact Ranking
- Green Burial (lowest emissions, potential carbon sequestration)
- Traditional Burial (moderate to high emissions, chemical concerns)
- Cremation (highest emissions due to energy use)
Cost Ranking
- Cremation (cheapest)
- Green Burial (moderate, eco-friendly value)
- Traditional Burial (most expensive)
Availability Ranking
- Cremation (most widespread)
- Traditional Burial (widely available)
- Green Burial (limited but expanding)
The cost implications likely explain why cremation is the most prevalent choice in Scotland, accounting for between 70% and 80% of disposals.
Green burials can be expected to gain popularity as people become more informed about the environmental impacts of various burial methods. However, for many people, especially those in lower income brackets, cost will likely remain a significant deciding factor.
The introduction of alternative methods would likely be a prolonged process, with any implementation more likely to occur in high-density urban areas before being introduced to rural regions. The initial setup costs are significant, and it will take considerable time for these methods to become feasible for lower-density areas.
Green burial stands out as Scotland’s most environmentally and culturally compelling body disposal method, offering significant benefits over traditional burial, cremation, and emerging options like resomation. With a carbon footprint of just 10-50kg CO₂e – compared to 100-400kg CO₂e for traditional burial and 200-300kg CO₂e for gas-powered cremation – green burial minimises emissions through its chemical-free, low-energy process and biodegradable materials.
Unlike chemical leaching in traditional burials, and cremation’s air pollutants, green burial avoids ecological harm and actively restores habitats through supporting biodiversity and sequestering carbon through tree planting or meadow restoration.
Even electric crematoria (~50-100 kg CO₂e), and resomation (~20-50 kg CO₂e) fall short of green burial’s minimal impact, while mobile crematoria remain absent in Scotland due to regulatory and practical barriers.
Culturally, green burials resonate with the eco-conscious person who is seeking a natural return to the earth, despite traditional burial’s religious appeal or cremation’s dominance. Aligned with Scotland’s net-zero 2045 target and Circular Economy goals, green burial transforms a farewell into an act of environmental stewardship, making it the optimal choice for those prioritising sustainability, affordability and ecological legacy.
For more information please email Laura at [email protected]
Green burials: how does the climate impact compare?
Green burials not only feel like a most natural farewell, their environmental impact is a fraction of more traditional methods. Laura Sheenan, funeral co-ordinator on the FHT’s green burial team, investigated the climate impact of the four main methods – here’s how the research stacks up.
While no method of human body disposal is entirely emission-free, it is particularly encouraging to note that green burials have the least environmental impact. Each method entails the use of materials, transportation and energy requirements; however, green (or natural) burials emerge as the most sustainable option, potentially offsetting carbon emissions through ecological restoration. This low-impact approach is applicable both in Scotland and globally.
There are currently four legal methods for disposing of a human body in Scotland, each with varying environmental impacts:
Another emerging method is human composting or ‘terramation’, which is not yet available in Scotland but could approach near-zero emissions if implemented.
Climate Impact Ranking
Cost Ranking
Availability Ranking
The cost implications likely explain why cremation is the most prevalent choice in Scotland, accounting for between 70% and 80% of disposals.
Green burials can be expected to gain popularity as people become more informed about the environmental impacts of various burial methods. However, for many people, especially those in lower income brackets, cost will likely remain a significant deciding factor.
The introduction of alternative methods would likely be a prolonged process, with any implementation more likely to occur in high-density urban areas before being introduced to rural regions. The initial setup costs are significant, and it will take considerable time for these methods to become feasible for lower-density areas.
Unlike chemical leaching in traditional burials, and cremation’s air pollutants, green burial avoids ecological harm and actively restores habitats through supporting biodiversity and sequestering carbon through tree planting or meadow restoration.
Even electric crematoria (~50-100 kg CO₂e), and resomation (~20-50 kg CO₂e) fall short of green burial’s minimal impact, while mobile crematoria remain absent in Scotland due to regulatory and practical barriers.
Culturally, green burials resonate with the eco-conscious person who is seeking a natural return to the earth, despite traditional burial’s religious appeal or cremation’s dominance. Aligned with Scotland’s net-zero 2045 target and Circular Economy goals, green burial transforms a farewell into an act of environmental stewardship, making it the optimal choice for those prioritising sustainability, affordability and ecological legacy.
For more information please email Laura at [email protected]