· 3 min read
illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Telegraph or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: The UK government, under Labour’s net zero agenda led by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, is preparing to overhaul cremation regulations to align with decarbonisation goals
• The proposed rules would phase out gas-fired cremation ovens, mandate greener coffin materials such as wicker or bamboo, and require crematoria to operate more efficiently to reduce emissions
🔭 The context: The draft regulations, developed by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), mark the first major update since 2012
• They respond to long-standing concerns over emissions from gas-based cremations, including mercury from dental fillings and toxins from coffin adhesives and embalming fluids
• Despite previous delays due to the pandemic and electoral sensitivities, the proposals have now been approved by senior officials and shared with funeral industry bodies
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Cremation currently accounts for 80% of deaths in the UK, representing a significant source of emissions
• Transitioning to electric or renewable-powered systems could reduce fossil fuel reliance, but will require substantial upgrades across an ageing infrastructure
• While the environmental benefits are clear, the change could increase costs and operational complexity, especially given the longer processing times of electric cremators and higher capital investment needed for compliance
⏭️ What's next: Crematoria will be required to track and report their energy use and emissions, with incentives to recover and reuse waste heat, as already done in Redditch
• The sector faces high compliance costs—estimated at £18 million in total—raising questions over funding and support for smaller operators
• Further consultation and implementation guidance are expected as the government formalises the rules in the coming months
💬 One quote: “Net zero remains the ambition and we are committed to supporting our members in this important work.” – Mike Birkinshaw, Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities
📈 One stat: In 2023, cremation accounted for approximately 80% of the 662,000 recorded deaths in the UK
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