SOUNDINGS

Environmentally friendly disposal of the dead

BMJ 2003; 327 doi: 10.1136/bmj.327.7408.237-a (Published 24 July 2003)
Cite this as: BMJ 2003;327:237.2

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  1. Imre Loefler, editor
  1. The Nairobi Hospital Proceedings, Kenya

    Funeral practices are succumbing to environmental concerns. Most bodies are either buried or burnt. With the proliferation of our species both methods have become problematic.

    In ecological terms burial is environmentally friendly because it recycles the dead on an organic level, feeding worms and arthropods. But burial needs space and is therefore expensive. There is also the environmental risk of contaminating the water table. …

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