It is a common sight in most open crematoriums where cloud of black smoke covers the
blue sky. According to some environmentalists, the ceremony of burning human bodies
using wood, with the belief that it releases the soul, is actually a threat to the
environment. According to a report, all the year round, around 50 to 60 million trees are
burned during cremations in India. While burning the wood, there is also emission of
million tonnes of carbon dioxide gas which is harmful for the environment.
The two main drawbacks of the traditional method of cremation are air pollution and
deforestation. Also, cremation in open grounds generate large amounts of ashes, which
are later thrown into rivers and water bodies, especially the Ganga river, there by
polluting the water. These are all environmental threats caused by cremation. Today’s
modern crematories use industrial furnaces designed just for cremation. The process
takes about 2-3 hours to complete.