Over the weekend I found a couple of articles originating from Great Britain about the European Union and its proposal to restrict the use of formaldehyde in the EU.  The articles point out that it is not a “ban” on formaldehyde use but a “restriction” that has the ability to change the way some consumers may choose memorial services.

The first article comes from the BBC and you can read it here.  It does talk about the reality that the legislation is not a ban and it is assumed that the funeral industry would be able to continue to use formaldehyde, but it would be in a controlled manner.  It also talks about the possibility of a 5-year phase in for the new restrictions which would allow funeral homes a period in which they could find replacements for formaldehyde.

The reasoning for the restrictions according to the European Commission is “Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen that requires close regulation, which the funeral sector has taken into account.  As is the current case, it will still be used in a controlled manner.”  However, funeral directors in the UK are concerned that they will not be able to find a replacement for formaldehyde and that they will be faced with extra costs.

The article also has a quote from a British member of the European Parliament, Anthea McIntyre, who said, “This new legislation is well meant, but I don’t think officials in Brussels realized quite how big the impact would be in Britain.”

The second article which comes from Talk Radio UK can be read here.  To some extent it discusses how “Natural Death” funeral director advocates may welcome the EU formaldehyde ban.

The Council of Ministers in Brussels is due to vote on the issue on December 6.

Funeral Director Daily take:  I’m no expert on public health issues, but it is pretty clear that there is a health risk to overexposure to formaldehyde and its fumes.  As you know, in the United States OSHA requires operating funeral homes to check their preparation rooms periodically for the levels of formaldehyde present.

My opinion would be that anything that might take away the ability of a family to view the deceased in a proper manner will exacerbate a family’s movement to cremation and, eventually, possibly direct cremation.  So, there is – especially in Great Britain which has a reported 55% casketed funeral rate – the opportunity for this new rule to rapidly increase their immediate cremation rate and be a drag on funeral home earnings.

As to the “natural or green” burial movement and its proponents welcoming the restrictions, I think a small growth in natural or green funerals might occur because of the formaldehyde restrictions at first, however, I actually see this movement as very niche in nature.  And one that will become a smaller and smaller percentage of services – as opposed to a growing percentage – as cremation continues to grow as the disposition of choice around the world.

Related— In our search of articles on the subject from Great Britain we came across this article about the work of one young embalmer in Great Britain who enjoys the work that she does.

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