When you think about cremation, you probably picture the standard process used across the UK. Green cremation options are alternatives designed to reduce the environmental impact of saying goodbye. These methods include water cremation (also called resomation or aquamation), using more efficient electric cremators, choosing biodegradable coffins, and opting for direct cremation without unnecessary travel or ceremonies. The goal is simple: a dignified farewell that leaves a lighter footprint on the planet.
This article walks you through everything you need to know about environmentally friendly cremation. You’ll discover what green cremation methods exist, which ones are currently available in the UK, and what legal or practical barriers might affect your choices. We’ll also cover costs, planning considerations, and how to arrange a cremation that aligns with your values without compromising on respect or dignity for your loved one.
Why green cremation matters
Traditional cremation releases around 126 kg of CO2 equivalent emissions into the atmosphere for every person cremated. That’s roughly the same carbon footprint as driving from Brighton to Edinburgh. When you consider that over 480,000 people die each year in the UK, and most choose cremation, the environmental impact adds up quickly. Gas-fired cremators consume significant amounts of fossil fuels, contributing to climate change in ways many families never consider when planning a funeral.
A single traditional cremation produces as much CO2 as a 400-mile car journey.
Your choice of farewell method carries more environmental weight than you might expect. Beyond carbon emissions, standard cremations use non-renewable energy sources and often involve coffins made from chipboard, veneers, and synthetic materials that release additional pollutants when burned. The funeral industry as a whole produces substantial waste, from plastic-wrapped flowers to single-use vehicles making multiple journeys.
Choosing green cremation options reflects values that many people hold throughout their lives. If you’ve spent years recycling, reducing waste, and making conscious environmental decisions, it makes sense to continue that legacy in death. Research shows that 84% of people concerned about climate change want their funeral to align with their environmental principles.
How to choose a green cremation option
Selecting the right green cremation option starts with understanding your priorities and what’s actually available in your area. You need to balance environmental impact, cost, personal values, and practical considerations. Some families focus purely on carbon emissions, while others care more about biodegradable materials or avoiding chemical processes. Your choice will depend on what feels most important to you and your loved one’s wishes.
Consider what matters most to you
Start by identifying your core environmental concerns. Do you want to reduce carbon emissions as much as possible? Are you focused on avoiding chemicals like embalming fluids? Perhaps you prefer natural materials that return to the earth quickly. Write down your top three priorities so you can evaluate each option against what truly matters. If your loved one expressed preferences about their environmental impact, those wishes should guide your decision. Some people feel strongly about water usage, while others prioritise energy consumption or land preservation.
Your environmental priorities will shape which cremation method aligns best with your values.
Ask about available options in your area
Contact funeral directors and crematoriums directly to discover which green cremation options they currently offer. Many facilities now use electric cremators or can provide biodegradable coffins, even if water cremation isn’t yet available. Ask specific questions: What coffin materials can you use? How do they power their equipment? Can they offset carbon emissions? Request details about their environmental policies and any certifications they hold. Don’t assume all providers offer the same choices. Some crematoriums invest heavily in green technology, while others stick with traditional methods. Getting clear answers helps you make an informed decision that matches your environmental goals.
Overview of green cremation methods
Several green cremation options exist, each offering different environmental benefits and practical considerations. Understanding how these methods work helps you choose the approach that best matches your values and circumstances. Some options reduce carbon emissions significantly, while others focus on biodegradable materials or avoiding chemical processes. The availability of each method varies across the UK, so knowing what exists allows you to ask the right questions when planning.
Water cremation (resomation or aquamation)
Water cremation uses alkaline hydrolysis instead of fire to break down the body. The process places the deceased in a pressurised steel vessel containing around 1,500 litres of water mixed with potassium hydroxide. This solution heats to extremely high temperatures for approximately four hours, reducing the body to liquid and bone fragments. The remaining white powder resembles traditional cremation ashes, which families can scatter, bury, or keep just like standard cremation remains.
This method produces only 28 kg of CO2 equivalent emissions, compared to 126 kg from traditional cremation. That’s a reduction of nearly 80% in carbon footprint. Water cremation uses less than one-fifth of the energy required for fire-based cremation, making it the lowest-carbon option currently available. The process avoids releasing mercury from dental fillings into the atmosphere and creates sterile liquid that can safely enter water treatment systems.
Water cremation reduces carbon emissions by approximately 80% compared to traditional methods.
Electric cremators and energy efficiency
Electric cremators represent a significant improvement over gas-powered equipment, cutting CO2 emissions by up to 85% when powered by renewable electricity. These modern systems use electrical resistance heating rather than burning fossil fuels, producing cleaner emissions and better temperature control. Facilities installing electric cremators often combine them with solar panels or wind power, further reducing environmental impact. Many UK crematoriums are gradually upgrading their equipment, though the transition takes time due to high installation costs.
Biodegradable materials and direct cremation
Choosing natural coffins made from bamboo, willow, cardboard, or FSC-certified wood reduces the environmental impact of any cremation method. These materials burn cleanly without releasing toxic chemicals from glues, varnishes, or synthetic fabrics. Direct cremation offers another green approach by eliminating unnecessary vehicle journeys, energy consumption for ceremony venues, and resource-intensive funeral arrangements. When you combine direct cremation with biodegradable materials and an efficient crematorium, you achieve substantial environmental savings without sacrificing dignity or respect for your loved one.
Availability in the UK and legal status
The UK landscape for green cremation options changes gradually as more facilities invest in environmentally friendly technology. You’ll find significant variation depending on where you live, with some regions offering advanced eco-friendly methods while others still rely predominantly on traditional gas-fired cremators. Most crematoriums now provide biodegradable coffin choices and can arrange simpler services that reduce environmental impact, even if cutting-edge options like water cremation remain limited.
Water cremation facilities
Water cremation currently has no publicly available facilities in the UK, though this situation will likely change within the next few years. The method received legal approval from the UK government, but building and licensing resomation facilities takes considerable time and investment. Several companies are working to establish the first UK water cremation sites, with announcements expected in the near future. When these facilities open, they’ll need to meet strict regulatory standards set by environmental and funeral service authorities.
Water cremation is legal in the UK but not yet available at any crematorium.
Traditional cremation with green improvements
You can access electric cremators at select crematoriums across England, Scotland, and Wales right now. These facilities often highlight their environmental credentials on their websites or through funeral directors. Contact your local crematorium directly to ask whether they use electric equipment powered by renewable energy. Many sites have upgraded their filtration systems to capture emissions more effectively, even if they haven’t switched to fully electric operations yet.
Legal requirements for green burials
UK law permits natural burial in biodegradable materials without any legal barriers. You can choose coffins made from bamboo, willow, cardboard, or untreated wood for both cremation and burial. Regulations don’t require embalming except in specific circumstances like transporting bodies internationally. Your funeral director must follow standard legal procedures for death registration, cremation paperwork, and medical certificates regardless of which green cremation options you select. These requirements stay consistent whether you choose traditional methods or environmentally friendly alternatives.
Costs, planning and practical tips
Green cremation options often cost less than traditional funerals, though prices vary depending on the specific choices you make. Understanding the financial aspects and planning steps helps you arrange an environmentally friendly farewell without unexpected expenses or last-minute complications. Your decisions about coffin materials, ceremony arrangements, and service providers directly affect both the environmental impact and final costs.
Understanding the price range
Direct cremation with biodegradable materials typically costs £1,200 to £2,000 in the UK, compared to £4,562 for a traditional funeral. You’ll pay more if you choose specific crematoriums that use electric equipment or if you want additional services like home collection. Natural coffins made from cardboard or willow usually cost £200 to £600, while FSC-certified wood coffins range higher. Water cremation, when it becomes available, will likely sit at the upper end of cremation pricing initially due to limited facilities and advanced technology.
Direct cremation with eco-friendly materials saves approximately £2,500 compared to traditional funerals.
Planning ahead reduces stress
Pre-planning your own green cremation removes emotional and financial pressure from your family during their grief. You can research crematoriums, compare prices, and document your preferences in writing. Many people include their wishes in their will or funeral plan, specifying biodegradable materials, carbon offset preferences, and memorial instructions. Discussing your choices with family members now prevents confusion or disagreements later.
Arranging a green cremation
Contact funeral directors directly and ask specific environmental questions about their services. Request details about coffin materials, crematorium energy sources, and transportation options. Choose providers who transparently share their environmental policies and carbon reduction measures. You can reduce travel emissions by selecting local facilities and encouraging guests to car-share or use public transport for any memorial gathering you plan separately from the cremation itself.
Bringing it all together
Green cremation options offer practical ways to reduce your environmental impact while maintaining dignity and respect for your loved one. You’ve learned that water cremation cuts emissions by 80%, though it’s not yet available in the UK, while electric cremators and biodegradable materials provide accessible alternatives right now. Direct cremation combined with natural coffins delivers significant environmental benefits at lower costs than traditional funerals.
Your choice depends on what’s available locally, your budget, and which environmental aspects matter most to you. Research crematoriums that use renewable energy, ask funeral directors specific questions about their green practices, and document your preferences clearly. By planning ahead, you remove stress from grieving families while ensuring your farewell aligns with your values.
Go Direct Cremations provides a simple, dignified direct cremation service with eco-friendly coffins, allowing you to arrange a memorial separately at a time and place that suits your family.