Promession

Promession is an ecological burial method developed by Swedish biologist Susanne Wiigh-Mäsak in 1997. The process is designed to be an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional burial and cremation methods. Promession involves freeze-drying the body, which is then reduced to a powder that can be returned to the earth in a biodegradable container.

Process

The promession process consists of several key steps:

1. Preparation: The body is placed in a biodegradable coffin and cooled to a temperature of -18°C (0°F).
2. Freeze-drying: The cooled body is submerged in liquid nitrogen, which further reduces the temperature to -196°C (-321°F). This causes the body to become extremely brittle.
3. Vibration: The brittle body is subjected to a mechanical vibration, which causes it to disintegrate into a fine powder.
4. Metal separation: Any metals, such as dental fillings or surgical implants, are removed from the powder using a magnetic process.
5. Dehydration: The powder is then dried to remove any remaining moisture.
6. Burial: The resulting organic powder is placed in a biodegradable container and buried shallowly in the soil, where it can decompose naturally and enrich the earth.

Environmental Impact

Promession is considered to be a more sustainable option compared to traditional burial and cremation. Traditional burial often involves embalming chemicals and non-biodegradable materials, while cremation releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere. In contrast, promession uses no harmful chemicals and results in a product that can be fully integrated into the natural environment.

Advantages

• Environmental sustainability: Promession minimizes the ecological footprint of burial by avoiding the use of embalming fluids and reducing carbon emissions.
• Soil enrichment: The process returns nutrients to the soil, promoting plant growth and contributing to the ecosystem.
• Space efficiency: The shallow burial of the powder requires less space than traditional burial plots.

Challenges

• Regulatory approval: As a relatively new method, promession faces regulatory challenges in many countries where burial practices are strictly controlled.
• Public acceptance: Cultural and religious beliefs about death and burial can affect the acceptance of promession as a viable option.

Also see

• Green burial
• Cremation
• Natural burial
• Biodegradable urn

References

• Wiigh-Mäsak, Susanne. "Promession: An Ecological Burial Method." Journal of Environmental Science, 2001.
• "Promession: A New Way to Return to Nature." Eco-Burial Innovations, 2020.