qWhat happens to our body after death? In France, only two burial methods are currently recognized: burial and cremation. Although new funeral practices are emerging in Europe and around the world, it is necessary to rethink the meaning given to our rites, as well as their symbolic, economic, health, legal and environmental issues.
When obtaining cemetery concessions in Portugal, researchers have observed for several years that the remains no longer decompose. One of the reasons given to explain this phenomenon is soil deterioration. In fact, the oldest cemeteries were permanently contaminated by the large number of deceased that were buried there and by the use of formaldehyde for embalming. The land has become inert, preventing natural decomposition processes.
The use of airtight coffins and treated wood also slows biodegradation: imprisoned without air and without microfauna, corpses rot, generating toxic waste. This situation complicates the management of cemeteries; concessions can only be withdrawn when the total degradation of the body is effective. In France, the slow decomposition of corpses is also noted, although there is no systematic study.
Symbolic, legal and environmental issue
Burial is not the only practice that raises questions. Legalized in 1887, cremation has progressively found its place in the French funeral scene, affecting 42% of the deceased in 2022. This evolution requires the construction of more and more crematoriums: heavy, energy-consuming and polluting infrastructure. Many also agree on the symbolic poverty of cremation rites, generally inspired by burial rites.
The ashes resulting from the burning of the body, the coffin and the pulverizing (grinding) of the bones also present a symbolic, legal and environmental issue. These are often loaded with potentially toxic heavy metals: depositing them in dispersal pits or gardens of remembrance causes them to mix and concentrate, while their dispersal in the field spreads them. Since 2008, legal personality has been recognized for the ashes resulting from cremation, which guarantees their traceability and respect.
Therefore, there is nothing immutable in the funeral landscape and the legal framework. The appearance of funeral cooperatives, committed associations, the creation of a social death security group or the proposed law aimed at developing the burial of corpses and the announced creation of a group of ministerial studies confirm that an increasing part of Our fellow citizens do not recognize themselves in the propositions and ritual values associated with already legal burials.
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