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We Need to Change How We Bury the Dead

Provided by: Vox |Published on: April 27, 2021

Videos

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Synopsis

This video from Vox outlines the high financial, environmental, and material costs of modern American burial practices.
The video describes four alternative methods for dealing with human remains: cremation, promession, alkaline hydrolysis, and natural burial.

Subjects: Chemistry, Biology

Authors: Vox

Region: Global

Languages: English

Positives

This video is great in exposing the environmental damage of modern American burials.
The video includes several eye-opening statistics, including numbers on toxic chemicals, concrete use, and land use.

Prerequisites

You may have to watch an ad before the video.
Be mindful of approaching the subject of death with your students. Be sensitive to students who may have lost a loved one recently.
The video does use the word damn at 4:40.

Differentiation & Implementation

English or science students can watch this video and write a paragraph outlining how they would like their bodies handled after they are deceased.
Social studies or geography students can use Google Maps to see how much space cemeteries take up in their neighborhoods. One discussion question to ask: "What else could the space be used for if it weren't used as a cemetery?"
Students could also watch this video on biodegradable mushroom fiber coffins.
To connect this to climate change, students can discuss how the use of energy to dispose of a body through cremation or other processes contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and the impact of these emissions on the climate.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.