Eco-friendly alternatives to burial and cremation that turn bodies into compost or water are to be considered by Church of England officials.
They are to investigate whether bereaved families should be able to request ‘human composting’ or ‘water cremation’ services.
Bishops were asked whether there were ‘theological objections’ to the environmentally friendly processes by the Rev Canon Andrew Dotchin, from Suffolk, at this week’s gathering of the Church’s governing body, the General Synod.
Water cremation involves the body of the deceased being liquefied in a solution of water and a strong alkali compound such as potassium hydroxide.
The bones are placed in an oven and turned to ashes, while the liquid remains drain into the sewer system.
Eco-friendly alternatives to burial and cremation that turn bodies into compost or water are to be considered by Church of England officials
In human composting, bodies are placed on a bed of organic material such as woodchips, which speeds up decomposition and produces soil.
The Rt Rev Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield, said Canon Dotchin should organise ‘a small consultation… to look at this question in more detail’.
