I don't believe it! Another documentary about death - this time on the radio. But very instructive, I thought. For example, did you know there are four proper ways to dispose of the dead? No, nor did I. They are:
  1. Burial
  2. Cremation
  3. Water Resolution
  4. Promession
Options 3 and 4 may well become the norm in future, notwithstanding a few religious objections that may need to be overcome. Both current solutions have shortcomings.

Burial
While generally approved of by religious bodies and having the greatest sentimental and symbolic value for most people, burial is by no means the perfect end to the story. It takes up land, much more than you might imagine. It buries the bodies so deep that they contribute nothing to the nutrition of the top soil. It requires constant care by the authorities, and we all know how much they care about people who don't vote any more.

Cremation
An ancient idea that was resurrected in the 1800s as a solution to the problems cited in relation to burial. Accepted now by quite a few religions and preferred by some testators and testatrices. However, the little prosthetic bits and pieces that we affix to ourselves can cause problems. Pacemakers can explode. The mercury vapour that is released when amalgam tooth fillings are incinerated often exceeds emission control statutes. Almost half the mercury vapour emitted in Europe comes from cremated teeth and many crematoria are unable to comply. And just to make your toes curl - did you know that they use mechanical crushers to powder the bones?

Water Resolution
A common way to dispose of animal carcasses, and one which is seriously under consideration for humans. The body, subjected to alkaline hydrolysis at raised temperature and pressure, is reduced to a watery solution of amino acids, sugars, etc. The bones and teeth leave a crumbly mineral material - a bone meal. The process only takes a few hours. The by-products are all safe and useful. General acceptance of the idea is probably next to zero.

Promession
Bodies are freeze-dried with liquid nitrogen, then shaken so that they disintegrate into powder. The powder is then buried in shallow bio-degradable trays in the topsoil so that all the remaining nutrients - which are very good apparently - can help to fertilise plant growth.

Apologies all round for these too-frequent digressions into death and morbidity. I promise to stop now (or rather, I'll do my best; sometimes I just can't help myself, please stop me before I start to wear black nail polish).