TITLE:
A Comparative Analysis of Contemporary Methods of Final Disposition
AUTHORS:
Dina Cirigliano
KEYWORDS:
Mortuary Science, Biological Decomposition, Chemical Decomposition, Thanatology, Death Studies, Body Disposition
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.14 No.7,
July
19,
2024
ABSTRACT: This article illustrates the procedural specificities of the following eight contemporary methods of final disposition: (1) Natural Organic Reduction, (2) Alkaline Hydrolysis, (3) Plastination, (4) Body Farm, (5) Cryonics, (6) Memorial Reefs, (7) Organic Burial Pods, and (8) Space Funeral. After comparing the differences in the duration of body-processing time of all eight methods, Alkaline Hydrolysis was determined to take the shortest length of time to complete (6 - 8 hours), while Plastination was deemed to take the longest length of time to complete (1 year). Additionally, with regard to comparing the differences in cost to the consumer, Plastination and Body Farm were both deemed to be of the lowest cost ($0/body donation only), while Cryonics was deemed to be the most expensive ($200,000+ due to ongoing subfreezing storage and maintenance fees). Finally, after comparing the differences in each state’s set of sanctioned methods of final disposition, it was established that the seventeen states that restrict their residents’ options the most, permitting only two out of the eight contemporary options, include Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, and that the two states that restrict their residents the least, permitting six out of the eight contemporary options include California and Florida.