Cremation to be replaced by eco-friendly freeze-drying of corpses

Funerals in Britain could soon end with the body of a loved-one being frozen to -196C in liquid nitrogen and then shaken until it disintegrates into powder.

The process - known as "promession" - could be the answer to the dwindling amount of space in Britain's cemeteries as well as being more environmentally friendly than cremation, say campaigners.

It has already been given the go-ahead in Sweden, and now councils are lobbying the Government to change the law to allow it to happen here - currently bodies can only be buried or cremated.

A survey of 100 local authorities found that more than a quarter were already actively considering freeze-drying bodies, the latest being Preston in Lancashire.

Many cemeteries will run out of space within ten years, forcing councils to consider unpopular solutions such as "double-decker" graves, with coffins buried on top of one another, or even vertically - effectively standing up.

Around seven out of ten people currently opt for the cheaper option of cremation, but that also has its problems.

Burning dental fillings creates mercury emissions, and Government targets mean filters must be fitted to crematoria, some of which may have to be completely rebuilt as a result at a cost of millions.

Supporters also say it boosts the environment further as it is better at recycling nutrients than burial where the body is embalmed and buried at greater depth.

So as bizarre as it sounds, growing numbers of councils are signing up to the idea of freeze-drying bodies.

The process involves dipping the body in -196C liquid nitrogen until it is brittle, and then placing it on a vibrating mat so it disintegrates into powder.

Remains

A magnetic field then removes metal objects like fillings and artificial limbs from the remains.

The town of Jönköping in Sweden - where the process was invented by an ecologist - is set to become the first to begin disposing of bodies in this way later this year, and it is being watched eagerly by authorities in Britain.

Here, Crewe and Nantwich council in Cheshire is leading the way thanks to the enthusiasm of its cemetery and crematoria manager, Mary Slinn.

"Everything points to it dealing with many of the problems we face in disposing of bodies, and a growing number of councils are interested in finding out more," she said.

"But until the law is amended, we cannot take it any further.

"It's not legal or illegal, but the law only permits burial or cremation at the moment, and we hope the growing interest in alternative methods like this will see that changed."

Among at least 27 councils which have expressed an interest are Leicester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Carlisle and Fareham in Hampshire.

Anthony Gornall, who chairs Preston City Council's working group on the future of disposal of bodies, said: "Mercury abatement on crematoria is going to cost us a fortune, well over a-quarter-of-a-million pounds per unit, and this has got to be worth looking at."

A key consideration will be cost - authorities would need to build what have been dubbed "promatoria" in which bodies could be freeze-dried - although ceremonies would probably carry a similar price to cremation.

The Church of England and other churches say they have no objection to freeze-drying of bodies in principle, provided it is done with dignity and reverence.

The Department of Constitutional Affairs said it would consult on changing the law if the idea won widespread support.