Co-op Funeralcare, the largest funeral provider in the UK, has unveiled its plans to offer a new sustainable burial option as an alternative to traditional burials or cremations. The practice, known as resomation or water cremation, will be introduced by the company later this year.
Resomation involves placing the deceased in a biodegradable pouch, which is then put into a container filled with pressurized water and a small amount of potassium hydroxide. This process rapidly converts tissue and cells into a watery solution, typically taking around four hours. The remaining soft bones are dried and reduced to a white powder, which can be returned to the relatives in an urn.
Studies have shown that resomation is a more environmentally friendly choice compared to traditional cremation or burial. Cremation releases carbon dioxide and potentially toxic gases into the atmosphere, while burials can pose a risk of groundwater contamination. Resomation, on the other hand, does not release toxic gases, air pollutants, or polluting fluids.
The Co-op, which organizes over 93,000 funerals annually, plans to collaborate with sustainability experts and academia to further validate existing research during its initial regional pilot. The specific pilot locations will be announced later this year, with the intention of expanding the service to all Co-op clients.
The company has also informed the government about its plans and indicated that discussions on new burial methods took place at the Synod of the Church of England earlier this year. While resomation is gaining popularity in countries like the US, Canada, and South Africa, families in the UK currently have the option of burials or gas cremations.
