Funerals are an important opportunity to say goodbye to someone we love, but like many everyday activities, they have an environmental impact.

From the energy used during cremation to the materials used to make a coffin and the journeys made by funeral cars and mourners, several factors contribute to a funeral’s carbon footprint.

The good news is that there are ways to reduce this impact. Understanding where emissions come from is a useful first step towards making more environmentally conscious choices.

In this guide, we explore how much carbon a funeral can produce, the differences between burial and cremation, and what can be done to reduce the environmental impact.

How much carbon does a funeral produce?

There isn’t one figure that applies to every funeral. The total carbon footprint depends on the type of funeral, the materials used, the energy required and the distance people travel.

Research into the environmental impact of burial and cremation suggests that the disposal of a body alone can account for approximately:

• Burial: around 97kg of CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e).
• Cremation: around 200 to 210kg of CO₂e.

These are indicative estimates from published research, rather than a calculation for every UK funeral. They also do not represent the full carbon footprint of every funeral service.

The wider environmental impact can include the coffin, funeral vehicles, flowers, embalming, the funeral service itself and journeys made by family and friends. The number of people travelling and the distances involved can make a difference, too.

It’s also worth remembering that carbon emissions are only one part of the environmental impact. Land use, materials, air pollution and the effect on local ecosystems can also be important considerations.

Which is more environmentally friendly: burial or cremation?

There isn’t a straightforward answer, as both options have environmental considerations.

Cremation

Traditional gas-powered cremation requires significant amounts of energy to reach and maintain the temperatures needed for the process. Burning the coffin and its fittings also contributes to emissions.

Cremation generally requires less land than burial, but it releases greenhouse gases and other substances into the atmosphere.

Burial

Traditional burial does not require the same energy-intensive combustion process as cremation. However, it can involve emissions from digging the grave, manufacturing and transporting the coffin, and producing a headstone.

There can also be longer-term environmental considerations relating to the use of land and the potential movement of substances into the surrounding soil and groundwater.

What about natural burial?

Natural burial, sometimes called green burial, aims to minimise the environmental impact of the burial process. Depending on the site and the choices made, this can involve a biodegradable coffin or shroud, fewer materials and a grave dug with minimal machinery.

Research by Planet Mark into funeral-related emissions found that the immediate emissions associated with natural burial can be relatively low, particularly when machinery and fuel use are minimised.

Ultimately, the environmental impact depends on the specific arrangements. It is more useful to consider the choices involved in each funeral than to assume that every burial or cremation has the same footprint.

How much CO₂ is produced by a cremation?

A traditional gas-powered cremation can produce approximately 130 to 160kg of direct CO₂ emissions, although estimates vary depending on the cremator, its energy efficiency and the assumptions used.

This figure relates to the cremation process itself. A wider calculation may include electricity, the coffin, transport and other parts of the funeral, resulting in a higher overall footprint.

The amount of energy used can also vary depending on how efficiently the crematorium operates and how many cremations it carries out.

Electric cremators offer another potential route to reducing emissions. Their overall carbon footprint depends on the electricity used and how that electricity is generated. Using lower-carbon electricity can help reduce the associated emissions.

It’s important to distinguish between direct emissions from the cremation process and the wider carbon footprint when comparing different funeral options.

Is there any carbon left after cremation?

Yes, but it’s helpful to understand what happens during the process.

Cremation uses high temperatures to break down organic material. Carbon contained in the body, coffin and other combustible materials is released through the combustion process, primarily as carbon dioxide and other gases.

The ashes returned to the family are mainly mineral material, including calcium-containing compounds from the bones. They are not simply the carbon that remains after cremation.

This means that the ashes themselves are not a meaningful way of measuring the carbon footprint of a cremation. Much of the relevant carbon has already been released during the process.

Are crematoriums bad for the environment?

Crematoria have an environmental impact, particularly through their energy consumption and emissions into the atmosphere. However, this doesn’t mean every crematorium has the same impact or that emissions are left uncontrolled.

In the UK, crematoria are subject to environmental regulation. Requirements cover operational standards, emissions monitoring and, where applicable, equipment designed to reduce certain pollutants.

For example, flue gas treatment systems can help reduce emissions of mercury, particulate matter, acid gases and dioxins. These systems do not eliminate every environmental impact, and the energy used by the cremator remains an important consideration.

There are also opportunities to reduce emissions through improved energy efficiency, lower-carbon energy sources and more effective equipment.

Are fumes from a crematorium toxic?

Cremation produces gases and other emissions that can affect air quality if they are not properly controlled. These can include carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and other substances associated with combustion.

Certain pollutants can be harmful, which is why crematoria must operate within the relevant environmental requirements.

Modern crematoria can use carefully controlled combustion and flue gas treatment to reduce emissions. Their impact on surrounding air quality also depends on factors such as the equipment used, its maintenance, the emissions released and how these disperse.

It would be misleading to say that all crematorium fumes are harmless. Equally, the presence of emissions does not automatically mean that a properly operated and regulated crematorium poses an unacceptable risk to nearby residents.

The important distinction is between the environmental impact of the process and the controls in place to manage it.

How can the carbon footprint of a funeral be reduced?

It may not be possible to eliminate all emissions associated with a funeral, but there are practical ways to reduce them.

The most suitable options will depend on the wishes of the person who has died, the family’s preferences and what is available locally.

1. Consider a natural burial

Where it is suitable and available, a natural burial can reduce some of the environmental impacts associated with a traditional burial.

Natural burial grounds may encourage biodegradable coffins or shrouds, limit certain materials and use less machinery. Practices vary between sites, so it is worth asking the burial ground about its approach.

2. Choose a more sustainable coffin

Coffin materials and fittings can make a difference to the overall footprint of a funeral.

Options may include responsibly sourced timber, cardboard, wicker or other materials designed for the intended burial or cremation process.

The most suitable choice will depend on the requirements of the crematorium or burial ground. Families can ask their funeral director which options are available and what materials they contain.

3. Reduce unnecessary travel

Transport can contribute to a funeral’s overall carbon footprint, particularly when family members and mourners travel long distances.

Where practical, families could consider car sharing, using public transport or arranging a service at a convenient location.

Funeral directors can also look at their own vehicle use, route planning and opportunities to reduce unnecessary journeys.

These choices won’t always be possible, especially when loved ones are travelling from different parts of the country, but they can make a difference where circumstances allow.

4. Think about flowers and other materials

Flowers are an important part of many funerals, providing a personal way to remember someone.

When choosing funeral flowers, it may be worth asking about seasonal, locally sourced options and how arrangements can be made with less packaging or floral foam where suitable.

Other details, such as printed materials, decorations and memorial items, can also be considered when looking for opportunities to reduce waste.

5. Look at the energy used by funeral services

Crematorium operators and funeral businesses can explore ways to reduce their operational emissions.

This may include improving energy efficiency, reviewing electricity and heating use, reducing unnecessary vehicle journeys and considering lower-carbon energy sources.

For funeral directors, understanding where emissions occur across their operations can help identify which changes are likely to have the greatest impact.

6. Consider carbon offsetting

Even after reducing emissions where practical, some carbon emissions will remain.

Carbon offsetting offers a way for businesses and individuals to support projects that aim to reduce or remove greenhouse gases elsewhere. Depending on the project, this might involve protecting forests, restoring ecosystems or supporting tree-planting initiatives.

Tree planting can provide environmental benefits beyond carbon storage, including supporting habitats and local biodiversity when the right trees are planted in suitable locations.

However, trees take time to grow and absorb carbon. The benefits depend on factors such as the species, location, survival rates and how the project is managed. Carbon credits also vary in their methods and quality, so it is important to understand what a credit represents before purchasing one.

Offsetting should complement efforts to reduce emissions, rather than replace them.

How can eTrees help?

At eTrees, we believe that taking environmental responsibility starts with understanding your impact and identifying what you can do to address it.

For funeral directors and other businesses, carbon offsetting can be one part of a wider approach to sustainability, alongside reducing energy use, reviewing transport and making more conscious choices about materials.

eTrees makes carbon credits available on a pay-as-you-go basis, without monthly fees, contracts or minimum purchases. Each credit represents 1.5 tonnes of CO₂e, allowing businesses to purchase credits according to their needs.

Credits can be used to support carbon projects, with information provided to help businesses understand what they are purchasing. As with any offsetting scheme, it is important to be clear about the project supported and avoid suggesting that purchasing credits removes all the environmental impacts of a funeral.

For funeral directors looking to take further steps towards sustainability, understanding the environmental impact of funeral services is a useful place to start.

Find out more about carbon offsetting at eTrees.co.uk.

Final thoughts

Every funeral is different, and there is no single figure that captures the environmental impact of every arrangement.

Cremation, traditional burial and natural burial all have different considerations. From energy use and coffin materials to transport and land use, the choices involved can influence the overall footprint.

Reducing unnecessary emissions is a useful first step. Where emissions remain, carbon offsetting may provide an additional way to support climate-related projects.

For funeral directors, taking a practical and transparent approach to sustainability can help identify opportunities for improvement while continuing to provide families with the personal care and choices they need.