How many people are cremated each year and how much energy is consumed in the process? Will these numbers increase on current projections? And are there no better and environmentally friendly methods of disposal?
• Cremation is the accepted practice for disposing of dead bodies for a number of religious groups in India, including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains. Some 85 per cent of the country’s 1-billion-plus population cremate their dead. Beyond the Indian subcontinent, Hinduism is also a significant religion in Mauritius, Guyana and Fiji.
Many people from other religions, including Taoism and Shinto practised in China, Japan and Indo-China,…
