This video 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.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This video is great in exposing the environmental damage of modern American burials. It includes several eye-opening statistics, including numbers on toxic chemicals, concrete use, and land use.
Additional 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.
Differentiation
English or science students could watch this video and write a paragraph outlining how they would like their bodies handled after they are deceased.
Social studies or geography students could 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?"
The video spotlights several burial methods and provides a comparative analysis on the methods, the trade-offs, and need to adopt an eco-friendly method to reduce global carbon footprints. This resource is insightful and recommended for teaching.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
MS-ESS3-3 Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment.
LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
MS-LS2-5 Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 2: History
D2.His.5.6-8 Explain how and why perspectives of people have changed over time.
