Promession/Resomation

Resomation & Promession

Resomation^TM is an eco-friendly, no-burn, water based process which returns the body to basic elements.  Resomation uses water and alkali instead of fire to advance the natural “soil bacteria” decomposition process.
The process starts with the body being placed in a silk coffin then into a large metal vessel called the Resomator.  The machine is filled with a mixture of water and potassium hydroxide (roughly 500l of water and 20l of hydroxide), and heated to a high temperature (around 160 degrees Celsius), high pressure in the metal vessel prevents boiling.  After approximately 3 hours,  the body is effectively dissolved into its chemical components and ash.

The end result is a small quantity of green-brown tinted liquid containing amino acids, peptides, sugars and salts and soft, porous white bone remains (calcium phosphate) that can be crushed into a white-coloured dust.  The white ash can then be returned to the next of kin of the deceased for memorialization.  The liquid can be recycled back to the ecosystem by the way of a memorial garden or forest by the funeral professional.

Resomation gives off no Mercury emissions, no contamination,  No burning of Caskets – protects trees and reduces CO2 production,  energy efficient – less energy used relative to cremation, and Low Carbon footprint – fewer CO2 emissions vs average cremation.   With Resomation, the funeral service will stay but the ability to provide disposition at an accelerated rate will greatly increase the efficiency of the funeral director.

Is Resomation tomorrow choice of disposition?  It is currently available in the UK and Matthews International’s Cremation Division, the leading manufacturer of cremation equipment, is proud to announce the expansion of their ‘cremation’ expertise through the exclusive representation of Resomation systems in the United States.    Over 130 years ago cremation was the new movement in the way we approached human disposition and it’s still not fully accepted by some.  Resomation may be the next controversial movement for the death care industry offering a new, innovative, environmentally kinder approach to burial and cremation.
Read more information on this natural process

Promessa or Freeze-Dried Method

Another green disposition is called Promession, an ecologically-conscious method for disposing of human remains by freeze drying. It was invented and patented in 1999 by the Swedish biologist Susanne Wiigh-Mäsak. It’s sometimes referred to as the freeze-dried method.

The method is done by reducing the body of the deceased to a fine powder, this is achieved by submerging the body in liquid nitrogen.  The remains become brittle and a pulverizing process breaks them up into a fine, odorless powder.  The powder is then dried, reducing the deceased remains to around 30% of their original body weight.  Metals are removed and recycled from the powdered remains.  The powder is placed in a biodegradable casket made of potato or corn starch and buried in a shallow grave.  After curing for one year, the casket and remains become organic fertilizer or compost.  Mourners are encouraged to plant a tree, the nutrients of the powder are excellent for plant life.

The word “Promession” is derived from the Italian word for “promise” (promessa), the promise being the good environmental management of the Earth.  The first facilities for promession-based funerals, known as Promatoria, are due to be ready in 2009. They will be located in Sweden, Germany, Great Britain, South Korea and South Africa.  Read more about the freeze drying method