Whole Body Donation
One of the ways that science has advanced over the years is because of donors. Not only monetary donations, but also whole body donations. If you are interested in doing something for the sciences after you're gone, you can make arrangements to have your body donated to science for research. Almost all bodies are accepted and most diseases are acceptable for research. When you donate your body to science, all that is required upon your death is that a call be placed to the company you have donated your body to. If you are worried about costs to your family, you needn't, because whole body donation is typically 100% free for the donor and all that your family will be responsible for is the memorial service.
Cryopreservation
If you want your body perfectly preserved in the chance that someday the technology to cure a disease or extend life will exist, then cryopreservation is the cremation alternative for you. The body, tissues and organs are preserved at sub-zero temperatures and are stored at facilities in chambers that maintain the freezing temperatures, preventing cell death. Though many believe that there will come a day when their bodies can be revived, there is not irrefutable proof on the matter. Cryopreservation is also very expensive since not only must the preservation take place, but proper storage must be provided at all times.
Resomation
This environmentally friendly alternative to cremation or burial is a process involving water and alkali that breaks the body down over the course of two to three hours (virtually the same length of time as it takes to cremate a body) leaving behind a sterile liquid and bone ashes. The liquid is returned to nature, leaving only the ashes, which can be preserved in a cremation urn in exactly the same manner as cremains.
How is resomation a more eco-friendly cremation alternative to something that's already fairly green? Studies have shown that funerals that replace traditional cremation with the resomation process reduce the greenhouse gases emission by about 35%. If more people selected this procedure over cremation, the carbon footprint of the funeral industry could be drastically reduced. Plus, resomation currently costs around $600, which is significantly cheaper than cremation in the United States.
Corpse Composting
This procedure is not as simple as you might initially think. Bodies are not simply buried without a casket when corpse composting is used. It's actually a slightly complex technique in which the body is frozen using liquid nitrogen, then placed in a coffin, which is also frozen. Then the brittle frozen body and coffin are subjected to light vibrations. The vibrations shatter both and the result is a fine, organic powder. The powder then has any water, mercury and other metals removed. After all this, the result is a sterile powder that can be buried in the upper mulching layers of the soil. Full composting usually happens within 6-12 months after burial. You can use the composted remains as mulch for planting trees or even a memorial garden.
Melody Jamali is the Founder and President of ( Une Belle Vie ), a Colorado company dedicated to bringing choice of cremation to public light. Their company offers the widest selection in decorative urns for cremation and includes a wide collection of resources designed to help families and friends in their time of need. From tool for the grieving to informative articles about planning, support and other uplifting thoughts, Une Belle Vie is a company dedicated to helping your celebrate the life of the one you love - on your terms.
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