title: "The Ecological Damage of Cremation Should Not Be Underestimated" slug: "fanchunping-cremation-ecology-1991.en" date: "1991-06-01" category: "ecology" author: "Fan Chunping" excerpt: "From an ecological standpoint, cremation is an interruption of the material cycle. The incineration of bodies transforms biodegradable matter into polluting oxides, removing them from the cycle of life. The damage cremation inflicts on ecological balance is unequivocal."

The Ecological Damage of Cremation Should Not Be Underestimated

Author: Fan Chunping (Senior Editor, Academic Journal Office, Beijing Institute of Technology)

Originally published in China Environmental Management, Issue 2, 1991

Cremation, relative to mausoleum and tomb-style burial, represents progress. It helps transform social customs, dispel superstition, and conserve arable land. Yet from a foundational perspective—from the standpoint of humanity's relationship with nature, from the standpoint of ecological balance—it is a step backward.

I. Ecological Balance and the Material Cycle

A natural ecosystem operates as a four-stage cycle: first, chlorophyll-bearing plants (producers); second, consumers; third, microorganisms (decomposers); fourth, the inorganic realm. Energy and matter flow ceaselessly in the form unique to ecosystems, cycling without end.

II. Cremation's Damage to Ecological Balance

The incineration of human remains through cremation is, in ecological terms, an interruption of the material cycle.

Consider nitrogen flow: When plants and animals die, the proteins in their bodies are decomposed by microorganisms into nitrates and ammonium salts, which return to the soil. Burning a body oxidizes organic nitrogen into inorganic nitrogen oxides—on one hand forfeiting the value of that nitrogen being reabsorbed by plants, and on the other, causing atmospheric pollution.

Consider phosphorus flow: Cremation transforms the phosphorus that microorganisms could otherwise break down into recyclable phosphates into inorganic phosphorus oxides, removing them from the cycle. Phosphorus flow is particularly fragile.

By the same logic, the incineration of bodies is a ruthless interruption of the ecological flow of every other element essential to life.

To compensate for this loss, humanity resorts to chemical fertilizers to replenish soil fertility—only to bring about deeper damage: soil salinization, compaction, and impoverishment.

III. Cremation Should Be Gradually Phased Out

Cremation had its historical progressive significance for transforming human consciousness. But for maintaining soil fertility, it is no different from draining the pond to catch the fish.

By some estimates, China sees millions of deaths annually, with funeral expenses alone reaching 7 billion yuan and consuming 2 million cubic meters of timber. None of the current funeral practices are truly satisfactory.

From an ecological perspective, burial has more inherent rationality than cremation. Wrapped in plain cloth, laid beneath the earth, with a green tree planted at the burial site—this would beautify the environment while honoring the departed.

In sum: the damage cremation inflicts on ecological balance is unequivocal, and the severity of this damage intensifies as population surges and wild species face extinction. Finding an appropriate solution will ultimately be an inevitable trend.

Originally published in China Environmental Management, Issue 2, 1991