Is it better to be buried or cremated, if you want the atoms in your body to be re-used?

Answer 1

If you are serious about this, then the answer is more complicated than just bury or burn.

The problem with burial is that the calcium in the bones and teeth takes a very long time to be recycled. But cremation of the whole body is a waste of good organic chemicals which can be used without destroying them.

Be an organ donor. This provides the fastest way of "recycling" the atoms of those organs which are used. It can also provide other humans with a better life than if they did not get these organs.

Burn the remainder of the body at high temperature and scatter whatever ash is produced in moving water (like a river). These gaseous atoms (from the burning) and ash (solid atoms) placed in water will allow the fastest possible use by other life forms.

Answer 2

The "atoms" in your body will be "recycled" in some way, either way. (The only way to destroy an atom --as far as I'm aware!--is through nuclear fission. eg. the atomic bomb.) If you want the ENERGY /nutrients etc to retain their basic form, and be immediately of most use to living organisms, then burial is best. Cremation uses up("burns" up) all of the usable energy value in a body, and chemically alters what is left, into gases, and ash.

Answer 3

If you truly want the atoms in your body to be reused in the same way that they are now, I would highly recommend you seriously consider organ donation - otherwise, it is extremely unlikely that they will end up united again to form living organs.

Just consisder, your atoms could end up forming the compounds that are used to manufacture toilet seats - much better to give someone a new chance at life, eh?

Answer 4

Well, it depends on what you want the atoms to be used for. If you are just wanting your remains to mix with the earth and be incorporated, go with cremation.

If you want your atoms to help nature and create new life go with burial. But if you do make sure your coffin is biodegradable and you are not embalmed. It makes it easier for the worms to get their food.

Answer 5

I don't know about atoms but I have always wondered why we don't re use our dead as food , there are plenty of animals that would see no harm in eating us as they do it in the wild or in-fact those people that do not have as Strong moral issues as ourselves.There would be no land waste or pollution then.Obviously screening would have to take place for nasty diseases and organs harvested if that is the wish of the deceased.

Answer 6

Eaten.

First choice: tiger.
Second choice: ravens
Third choice: fish
Last choice: worms

How about being buried at sea? Or having your body placed on a high platform for birds? These are my best options.

Answer 7

My opinion is that if I didn't take up any space before I showed up, why should my body take up any space after I'm gone? Cemetaries are a huge wast of space and land. Cremation just makes more sense.

Answer 8

If you go outside your immediate time line and consider the continuous balance of life, the atoms will find their necessary and natural perpetuallity. (I invented that last word)

Answer 9

I'm a body donor, they take all the usable parts and burn the rest, no funeral, no viewing, no expense, I don't want people to see me dead, just remember me when I was alive.

Answer 10

cremated