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Promession - Your Comments

"My husband and I are both 70 years of age (and very fit!) but it would be good to know that this technology could be available when we need it..."
M Lynch, Devon
"I read with interest the article about freeze-drying funerals, entitled 'Shaking the Dead' in the Daily Mail, dated Thursday 13th October, 2005. When I showed it to my 80 year old mother, (a Crewe resident) she was particularly interested in it for herself too. Although mum is quite healthy, it is nice to be able to have everything understood beforehand..."
J Burgess, Hyde 
"I read a very interesting article on your research into the freeze dry method of dealing with the deceased. I would like very much to know more about this procedure..."
M Flynn, Wiltshire 
"From what I have read and heard about promession it certainly sounds a better alternative to cremation from an environmental point of view. Also with traditional burial there are land and space issues involved, and Promession has the advantage of leaving a residue full of nutrients for the soil. There is no problem from an environmental point of view using liquid nitrogen as at room temperature it becomes gas again. Nitrogen makes up 80% of the Earth's atmosphere. Promession is something I would consider for myself and I definitely think it is worth pursuing."
Tania Sayer member of South Cheshire friends of the earth.
It would take less ground for one thing and is clean, it would be a good thing in the long run.
Reader - Crewe Chronicle
My husband and I both think this is an excellent environmental alternative to cremation. We hope this will become a reality.
Reader - Crewe Chronicle
Excellent idea. Environmentally friendly. I would certainly go for it, in preference to cremation.
C R Jones, Nantwich
We are very interested in Promession and hope this Borough brings it to fruition. It is good for the environment.
Mr and Mrs Gray, Crewe

This is a very sound way forward if we go ahead others will follow.
Reader - Crewe Chronicle

I believe Promession is very important in helping the environment. Burials and cremations are taking too much room and causing too much pollution. Promession is a great idea and has to be the way forward!!
Reader - Crewe Chronicle
I think it's a wonderful idea. A great alternative to the amount of land needed for burial and I would choose it over cremation. Would like to put my name down now!
P Folkes
I like the idea of being frozen rather than burned. Also good for the environment less pollution.
Reader - Crewe Chronicle

People should be encouraged to donate their bodies to teaching hospitals (Keele) for students to practice on. Also organ, eye, skin donations, then you can process what's left, in the most environmentally friendly way.
A Jeffery

I have requested cremation in my will but was unaware of the mercury issue. It would be the cost of Promession that would concern me, but I think it is a good idea.
Reader - Crewe Chronicle
We have to move forward with the times. I think it is an excellent idea and I have been a Christian churchgoer all my life now aged 60. Well done for initiative!
Reader - Crewe Chronicle
I think it is an excellent idea. I've been telling my family and friends about it and they echo my view. Please continue to pursue the idea and give us feedback.
Reader - Crewe Chronicle
May I congratulate you on the forward thinking approach your council is taking. I'm sure there are some who feel that the whole concept is slightly unsavoury but from what I have read, there seems to be much to commend it.
David Cooke
From the BBC Look East programme
The general consensus was in favour for the the new freezing process instead of the usual burial or cremation.
From the BBC Look East programme
Briliant idea. Better than cremation.
Ann Johnson 
From the BBC Look East programme
Freezing - brilliant.
Patty 

Theological Comments
"As a Buddhist I think Promession is a great idea; 'gone to compost' is the best way for me to leave this planet it's green, it's clean, and it gives something back. When freeze-drying is legalised (as it must be) it's the method I shall choose.
The more ways we have of dealing with the dead in a multi-religious, multi-cultural society the better..."
D Allen, Manchester
"The Church of England would probably accept the procedure too, so long as it's done in a dignified manner"  "The concern of the Church is that bodies are reverently disposed of"
Geoffrey Rowell, the Bishop of Basingstoke and Chair of a multi-faith committee on funerals. (NewScientist.com  - 26th September 2001)
"We definitely support environmentally friendly funerals and there's no reason why they shouldn't be available to people who want them."  "When firm proposal for such burials arrive, we will of course, study them closely."
Spokesman for the Church of England (The Sunday Telegraph 11th April 2004).
"There do not appear to be any theological implications with this method of disposal, but it sounds like an appropriate think from an environmental viewpoint."
Spokesman for the Church of Scotland (Scottish Christian News Monitor for October 1 15, 2005)
"So long as you don't interfere with public health and safety, there are very few rules and there is nothing to stop you burying your aunt at the bottom of the garden if you wish."  Tight guidelines on cremation have been introduced because the body is completely destroyed, which could have implications in crime cases.  "Promession created similar legal concerns, but would not be covered under cremation legislation.  Since it would not be covered by cremation law, I don't see why it shouldn't happen, as long as it is not offending against public health or local government regulations.   Sooner or later we're going to have to stop burying people because all the space will be taken up. It seems to me that it is just as proper to have a casket containing ashes or powder as a body, so ethically it seems quite all right."
Professor (Emeritus) Kenyon Mason, an expert in forensic medicine and pathology, medical law and medical ethics. (The Scotsman 14th October 2005)
"As a Christian I have no qualms at all, because I believe it is not the body which is carried on it's the soul. I have discussed the idea with my own minister and together we have spread the word, as it were, amongst members of the congregation. It presents a step forward in the right direction and I find the way it is done quite acceptable. One thing I do make clear though is I believe the option of burial and cremation should always be available because when it comes to the end of a person's life, choice is very important."
Cllr Ray Stafford, an elder at Haslington and Crewe United Reformed Church.

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