Talk Overview

New methods of body disposal, such as alkaline hydrolysis (i.e. Resomation™ or ‘water’ cremation) and organic dispersal (human composting) are changing the funeral landscape, as part of a twin narrative of promoting greater consumer choice and ‘dying greener’.

Coming up with the technology is the first stage; persuading people that it is a dignified (and affordable) way of dealing with their dead that lives up to the environmental hype follows. Law also gets involved eventually, affirming the legitimacy of these new processes and laying down regulations to assure the public that they are safe and public health compliant ways of dealing with the dead. 

These are all important things, even if deciding the scope and content of any new laws and making sure that they are ‘fit for purpose’ present their own challenges. We also need to think about what law alone can’t achieve here– and that’s widespread uptake of these new technologies for dealing with the dead.

This is a more incremental process, and one that depends on embedding a narrative of respectful treatment of the dead, that sits alongside increased funeral choice and clearly evidenced environmental benefits.

About the Speaker

Heather Conway is an expert on the legal issues surrounding funerals and dealing with the recently dead. Specialisms include new and emerging bodily disposal technologies; the complexities of resolving family disputes surrounding funerals and who gets the post-cremation ashes; the legal status of funeral directions; and issues around exhumation and commemoration of the dead.

Heather is the author of The Law and the Dead (Routledge, 2016) and numerous articles on the subject. She has presented her work at international conferences and gatherings, and delivered talks to a range of deathcare professionals including the National Association of Funeral Directors, the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors and Cruse Bereavement UK. As well as being current President of the Association for the Study of Death and Society, Heather is also a Council Member and trustee of The Cremation Society of Great Britain.