Katerina Swanson
Cremation is a common alternative to traditional burial, favoured for its lower cost, shorter time frame, and portability. The process involves incinerating a body in a furnace, known as a retort, at temperatures of 871–982 °C (1,600–1,800 °F). Modern cremators automatically monitor the interior to determine when the cremation is complete. The time required varies from body to body, with the average being 90 minutes for an adult body. The type of fuel used for cremation varies, with natural gas being the most common due to its low cost and wide availability. However, other options include propane, oil, and, in Hong Kong, coal gas. The amount of fuel required for cremation is approximately 28 gallons, releasing about 240 kg (540 lb) of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average fuel required | 28 gallons |
| Fuel type | Natural gas, propane, oil, coal gas |
| Carbon dioxide released | 240-540 lbs |
| Time taken | 4-6 hours |
| Temperature | 871-982 °C (1,600-1,800 °F) |
| Alternative methods | Alkaline hydrolysis, water cremation |
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What You'll Learn
Natural gas is the most common fuel for cremation
The amount of fuel required for cremating a body depends on several factors, such as the atmospheric pressure and temperature at the crematorium's location. On average, a typical cremation requires around 28 gallons of fuel, which results in the release of approximately 540 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2).
Natural gas is the most common fuel used for cremations, especially in the United States, due to its low cost and abundance. It is used to heat up the retort furnace and incinerate the body. However, it is important to note that natural gas is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere due to its methane content.
The cremation process involves heating the water in the body, which constitutes about 50-65% of its composition. This evaporation of water requires a significant amount of natural gas, and the CO2 produced from burning this fuel adds to the emissions from the body itself. For a 150-pound person, approximately 100 pounds of CO2 is produced, with an upper range of 568 pounds of CO2 released when factoring in the natural gas consumption.
While natural gas is the predominant choice for cremations, there are alternative methods gaining popularity due to environmental concerns. Alkaline hydrolysis, or "water cremation," uses water to dissolve the body, resulting in an aqueous solution of simple salts, amino acids, and other organic compounds. This process uses significantly less energy than traditional cremation, with some methods requiring almost zero energy input. Additionally, crematoriums are exploring the use of propane, which has lower carbon emissions and is considered more eco-friendly than natural gas.
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Propane provides more usable energy per cubic foot
The cremation process involves heating the water in the body using a fuel source, typically natural gas in the United States due to its abundance and low price. The average cremation requires around 28 gallons of fuel, releasing approximately 540 pounds of carbon dioxide.
When it comes to choosing between natural gas and propane for cremation or other purposes, several factors come into play, including cost, energy efficiency, and environmental impact. Propane, a hydrocarbon separated from natural gas, is often sold in gallons but can be converted to cubic feet, the standard unit for natural gas.
Propane offers significantly more usable energy per cubic foot than natural gas. Specifically, one cubic foot of propane contains 2,516 BTUs, while one cubic foot of natural gas contains 1,030 BTUs. This equates to propane having over twice the energy content of natural gas (2.44 times more, to be precise). As a result, propane delivers more BTUs for your dollar and is more energy-efficient, requiring less volume per hour than natural gas.
However, cost is a critical factor in choosing a fuel source. Natural gas is typically priced per cubic foot, while propane rates are given per gallon. Historically, natural gas may seem like the more economical option when comparing average rates. Nevertheless, the actual cost depends on various factors, such as location and appliance efficiency. When natural gas is cheaper (for example, under $20 per 1,000 cubic feet), it may be more cost-effective than propane, even with propane's higher efficiency.
In terms of environmental impact, propane is considered a ""green fuel." It is not toxic or harmful to the environment, neither before nor after combustion. Propane produces fewer pollutants and has a smaller carbon footprint than natural gas and other fossil fuels. Although natural gas emits less carbon dioxide, it releases higher levels of methane, making it slightly less environmentally friendly. Natural gas is also a greenhouse gas, whereas propane is not, as it does not contribute to pollution if released into the atmosphere.
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Cremation requires less fuel with an incinerator (retort)
Cremation is a body disposition alternative to traditional burial. It is generally preferred because it takes less time and is more cost-effective. However, it does require a lot of fuel, which can be a significant expense.
The traditional cremation process involves placing the body in a cremation chamber or retort, an industrial furnace that generates temperatures high enough to ensure the disintegration of the corpse. Modern cremators use fuels such as oil, natural gas, propane, or coal gas to reach temperatures of up to 1,800°F (982°C). The time required for cremation varies, with the average being 90 minutes for an adult body.
To reduce fuel consumption and costs, methods such as using different fuels or opting for an incinerator (retort) are considered more efficient. Using an incinerator, or closed cabin, instead of an open fire can help lower fuel usage. Additionally, choosing alternative fuels like propane, which has a higher energy content per cubic foot than natural gas, can reduce the amount of fuel needed.
For example, natural gas is typically used to evaporate the water from the body during cremation, releasing about 100 pounds of carbon dioxide for a 150-pound person. In contrast, propane provides more than twice the usable energy content, resulting in lower fuel consumption and reduced environmental impact.
Alkaline hydrolysis, or water cremation, is another technique that uses water and alkali salts to dissolve the body, requiring less energy than traditional cremation. These alternative methods not only reduce fuel consumption but also contribute to more environmentally friendly practices in the cremation process.
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Water cremation uses water and alkali salts
Traditional cremation methods use a lot of fuel. On average, it takes around 28 gallons of fuel to cremate a human body. This is roughly the amount of fuel that can be held in an SUV gas tank. The process releases approximately 540 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The amount of fuel used depends on a variety of factors, such as the weight of the person being cremated, the efficiency of body scheduling, and the maintenance of the cremation retort.
Water cremation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis, is an alternative method that uses water and alkali salts instead of fire to cremate a body. This process is considered more environmentally friendly than traditional cremation because it uses less energy and produces fewer emissions. It also has a lower land footprint since the remains can be returned to the family in the form of a powder.
During water cremation, the body is placed in a stainless steel perforated vessel, which is then submerged in a larger vessel containing water and alkaline chemicals. The amount of water and alkali salts used depends on the sex, body mass, and weight of the deceased. The water and alkali salt solution is heated to a temperature of around 160°C (320°F) at an elevated pressure that prevents boiling. The body is efficiently broken down into its chemical components, including bone fragments and a sterile liquid called effluent. The effluent contains salts, amino acids, peptides, sugars, fatty acids, glycerol, and soaps, among other organic compounds.
The entire water cremation process can take anywhere from three to sixteen hours, depending on the equipment and body mass. After the reaction is complete, the effluent is disposed of either through the sanitary sewer system or through other methods such as using it in a garden or green space. The water cremation process produces far cleaner wastewater than traditional cremation, and it is even welcomed by water treatment authorities as it helps clean the water as it flows back to the treatment plant.
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Cremation is generally cheaper than burial
The decision between cremation and burial is a very personal one, often influenced by faith, family tradition, and personal beliefs. Cost is also a significant consideration, as there is a substantial difference between cremation and burial costs. Cremation is generally much cheaper than burial, with the median cost of a funeral with cremation being $6,280, 37% less than the median cost of a funeral with burial at $9,995.
The cost of cremation vs. burial can, however, be quite close, depending on the services and products purchased. When choosing cremation, you pay for the cremation itself, as well as the urn and, in some cases, a vault or crypt. Cremation urns can vary in price, from as little as $10 for cheaper options to thousands for more expensive ones. Conversely, when choosing burial, you pay for the embalming, the casket, and the opening and closing of the grave. Burial caskets can be costly, and the overall cost of a traditional burial service can range from $10,000 to $12,000.
Direct cremation is the cheapest option, ranging from $700 to $3,500, while direct burials cost around $5,126 on average. A cremation handled directly through a crematory is also more affordable, ranging from $1,500 to $3,000, compared to $2,000 to $3,000 when handled through a funeral home. The cost of cremation and burial can also vary depending on the state you are in.
The cremation process itself is cheaper because it generally does not require caskets, gravesites, headstones, or embalming. Cremation uses significantly less energy than burial, with the typical cremation requiring an average of 28 gallons of fuel. The cremation process also takes less time, generally turning bodies into ash within hours or days, compared to burial, which involves placing the body in the ground to decompose over a long period.
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Frequently asked questions
Each cremation requires about 28 gallons of fuel.
Modern-day crematoriums typically use either natural gas or propane for cremations, with natural gas being more common due to its low cost.
Natural gas is a greenhouse gas that traps heat inside our atmosphere due to the methane it contains. Propane is not considered a greenhouse gas and is not toxic.
Alkaline hydrolysis, also known as liquid cremation or water cremation, uses water and alkali salts to dissolve the body. This method uses much less energy than traditional cremation, with the energy required varying from almost zero to around 100 kWh depending on the process used.
