Promession is a process where corpses are freeze-dried, shaken into a powder, and then put in a biodegradable coffin. Developed in Sweden, the process was apparently created as a response to limited burial space and to reduce the pollution emitted from burning dental fillings during traditional cremation. (More background on Promession here.) It may make its way to parts of the UK in the near future. From The Scotsman:
It involves freezing the coffin and body to -18C before lowering them into liquid nitrogen at -196C, which leaves them extremely brittle.
A vibrating pad is used to reduce the remains to a powder and a magnetic field then removes all traces of mercury and other metal residues from fillings or hip replacements.
The remains are then put into a biodegradable coffin made from vegetable matter and buried in a shallow grave, where they will be absorbed into the earth within six to 12 months.
Loved ones could plant a tree or shrub on top of the grave, to absorb nutrients from the remains, supporters of the promession system suggest.
The cost of the process is expected to be similar to that for a cremation – around one-third of the price of a grave plot and traditional burial.