The World Economic Forum (WEF) is reportedly urging governments to phase out traditional funerals by 2030, advocating for “eco-friendly” alternatives like human composting and alkaline hydrolysis, according to Modernity.news. In Britain, these proposals are gaining traction through a Law Commission consultation exploring legal approval for such methods.
What Are These Alternative Funeral Methods?
Alkaline hydrolysis, often dubbed “water cremation,” involves boiling a body in water, alkaline chemicals, and heat under pressure, reducing it to liquid and bone fragments in 2–18 hours. The liquid is then disposed of through sewer systems, while bones are ground into powder for families. Human composting, or natural organic reduction, transforms remains into soil over weeks, using microbes and materials like wood chips.
Proponents claim these methods reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional cremation, which emits about 534 pounds of CO2 per process, according to National Geographic. However, the environmental benefits are still under study, with limited life cycle assessments available.
Is the WEF Really Banning Funerals?
Claims of a WEF directive to “ban” traditional funerals lack direct evidence. The WEF’s 2030 agenda focuses on water systems and sustainability, not funeral regulations. The push for alternative methods appears driven by environmental groups and consumer demand for greener options, not a global mandate. Britain’s consultation reflects local interest in updating funeral laws, not a WEF-imposed ban.
Public Concerns and Cultural Impacts
Public reactions are mixed. Some view sewer disposal as undignified, equating it to “mixing loved ones with waste,” as noted by Dr. Lian Lundy of Middlesex University. Others, including Indigenous groups in Hawaii, see water cremation as culturally resonant. Traditional funerals hold deep emotional significance, aiding the grieving process, and critics argue that eco-alternatives may disrupt this ritual.
Water safety is another concern. Experts cited in the report claim no risk to water supplies from sewer-disposed remains, but public skepticism persists, especially given the process’s novelty. In the U.S., alkaline hydrolysis is legal in 28 states, yet cultural resistance remains strong.
Environmentalism or Social Control?
Critics argue that promoting these methods under the guise of environmentalism masks an agenda of social control, limiting personal freedoms from “cradle to grave.” The article draws parallels to other controversial eco-policies, like restricted travel or insect-based diets. While environmental benefits are cited, the push for drastic funeral reforms raises questions about cultural erosion and individual choice.
As Britain considers legalizing these methods, with proposed regulations to prevent misuse, the debate continues: Are we honoring the deceased sustainably, or sacrificing tradition for questionable eco-gains? Share your thoughts below.
Modernity.news reports: The Telegraph reports that “a consultation on funerary methods by the Law Commission is proposing legal approval of alkaline hydrolysis and human composting as new ways of disposing of people’s bodies.
The report further notes that “Alkaline hydrolysis uses water, alkaline chemicals, heat and pressure to break down a body into liquid and pieces of bone, which can take between two and 18 hours.”
It’s basically Walter White with his barrels, but worse.
Charming. What a way to be disposed of.
“There is no clear regulatory approval of the process, effectively barring it from being used in Britain,” the report explains.
It also notes that if regulatory standards are changed to allow these methods then “criminal offences for improper use are also proposed,” presumably to prevent people from shoving their late relatives on the compost heap or down the toilet.
The article quotes some ‘experts’ who suggest there is no danger to the quality of water supplies in flushing dead bodies into the sewer, and eventually processing them through the water supply.
Yeah, you’re gonna be drinking dead bodies. If you’re in the US you already are because it’s legal in 28 states.
“Some people view it as basically mixing up my loved one with poo in the sewer and they don’t like that. However, some people see returning to the water environment as being a gentler approach,” remarked Dr Lian Lundy, of Middlesex University, a wastewater specialist.
Of course, the reason this idea is being pushed is the same reason eating bugs and the concept of only being able to travel 15 minutes away from your home are being normalised.
Complete social control from cradle to grave with environmentalism as the excuse.
A cursory search reveals that Alkaline hydrolysis is a favourite talking point of eco-obsessed extremist groups who claim it reduces greenhouse gas emissions, is free of air pollutants, has a smaller carbon footprint, is “gentler” etc etc etc.
In a civilised and spiritually healthy world, we treat those who pass with respect and we revere their Earthly remains. Ritual and formal ceremony are part of a natural human grieving process, and have been forever.
We don’t stuff people in bags and boil them until they’re flushable, because some lunatic declared it non eco-friendly to do anything else.