The Indiana House of Representatives Commerce, Small Business and Economic Development Committee advanced State Representative for District 41 Mark Genda’s legislation that aims to provide a more ecofriendly option for the dissolution of remains after death.
According to the Cremation Association of North America, a typical cremation releases approximately 534 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which Genda sought to address through House Bill 1044. The bill, if passed, would allow for the use of alkaline hydrolysis for the dissolution of human remains using water, a chemical solution and heat to be utilized as an ecofriendly option for cremation.
“Indiana has always relied on the standard cremation and traditional burial options that have been around for years,” Genda said. “By allowing alkaline hydrolysis as a greener alternative to cremation, we could expand after-death options for Hoosiers and meet their desire for lower environmental impact.”
According to the National Funeral Directors Association, cremation is currently the leading after-death option for Americans with more than 61% of the population choosing cremation over traditional burial in 2024 according to a recent study. In the same study, approximately 68% of Americans expressed interest in green funeral options to reduce their environmental footprint, which House Bill 1044 attempts to address.
According to Bio-Response Solutions, a manufacturer of alkaline hydrolysis equipment in Indiana, the proposed process has no direct emissions of greenhouse gases or mercury while using 90% less energy compared to traditional cremation.
House Bill 1044 now heads to the Indiana House of Representatives for consideration. To learn more and follow legislative proceedings, visit iga.in.gov.
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