Should the human body itself be part of the circular economy?
Here in Japan, and in many modern societies, cremation is the absolute standard. We do not practice burial that returns the body to the earth. However, by doing so, we are incinerating immense biological potential and breaking the ultimate environmental loop.
While we must carefully consider hygiene and environmental impact, it seems we have become blinded by cultural habits. We overlook the fact that our physical bodies are the ultimate natural resource, meant to be returned to the ecosystem.
Funeral traditions and the emotional culture of mourning must be deeply respected. Yet, shouldn't "returning to the soil" be socially recognized as a valid personal choice?