What Is the Process of Promession?

The process of promession, a funerary concept that involves freeze-drying the body of the person who died, typically involves several steps. Like cremation, the body will be reduced to powder and placed in the appropriate container of choice. The remains of the person who died can either be buried or placed into a biodegradable urn for a display or memorial. The interest in promession is increasing as more people are seeking alternative eco-friendly practices that minimize the environmental impact of traditional cremation and burial. 

The process of promession begins by placing the body of the person who died into a cryogenic freezing chamber. Liquid nitrogen that has been chilled to the temperature of -196 Celsius is sprayed on the body to achieve crystallization. After the body is completely frozen, the cryogenic freezing chamber begins to vibrate for several minutes, which causes the crystallized cells to disintegrate into small particles. These particles are collected for the next step of the process. 

Particles are transferred to a vacuum chamber which removes any remaining water or moisture by using sublimation to transform the frozen particles into vapor. This process results in the creation of powder remains that are equivalent to 30 percent of the original weight of the person who died. Metals such as tooth fillings, pacemakers, and other implants are removed from the powder by using a sieve or magnet. The remains are then transferred to a biodegradable container and sealed. This container can be buried under layers of soil which will eventually decompose the remains over the next 6 to 18 months. Although burial is a common practice following promession, loved ones can also choose to keep the remains in an urn or transition them into a keepsake.

At this time, promession is not a widespread practice and is often subject to regulations in various regions since it requires specialized equipment and lesser-known methods of storing remains. Additionally, while promession has been performed on animals such as pigs, it has not been performed on humans and is not yet available to the public. If it were available, cultural and religious or spiritual beliefs would likely influence whether promession would be an acceptable practice. Ultimately, introducing promession will most likely require additional discussion, advocacy, and exploration among funeral professionals and the clients they serve before it can become a commonplace option.

Sources

“Alternative ways of dealing with the body of a loved one after death”. Peacefully. https://guide.peacefully.com/resources/alternative-ways-of-dealing-with-the-body-of-a-loved-one-after-death?rq=promession