- 5/8/2024

Less polluting cremation

3 min

In Flanders, crematoria are a matter for the government, not for private players such as undertakers and funeral homes. In East Flanders, InterGemeentelijke Samenwerking Westlede handles the cremations with establishments in Lochristi, Sint-Niklaas and Aalst.

“We perform some 12.500 cremations per year, representing a quarter of all Flemish cremations or 16% of the entire country,” explains Director Sven De Backer. "In addition, we are responsible for around 4.500 ceremonies per year. All in all good for 400.000 visitors. Finally, we also provide 100.000 bereavement meals. We do this with a team of seventy staff members, of course with a large technical team, but also with a department for the ceremonies and catering."

Less co2 emissions

A cremation is less environmentally harmful than a classic resting place as it uses less land. But the incinerators naturally consume a lot of energy. At IGS Westlede they are aware of this and align themselves with the United Nations, Europe and Flanders climate goals. “By 2030, we want to emit 45 per cent less CO2 compared to 2015,” says De Backer. "We'll do this by replacing our gas-fired cremation lines in Lochristi with electric ones. Specifically, we will generate our own energy with solar panels. Thanks to the switch, we will emit 600 tonnes less CO2 and thereby meet our climate targets for 2030." The transition is in full swing. A first line is already running electrically, and all lines must be switched over by the end of next year."

Acceleration

The renewal operation accelerated when the energy crisis broke out and gas prices rose four to six times. "But, of course, it will continue to be a major change. We have to adapt our peripheral facilities, for example, by strengthening the high-voltage grid. All in all, this represents an investment of EUR 5.5 million. But BNP Paribas has really contributed to this project. It fits nicely into their own strategy to guide them through their sustainable transition, and it’s the start of a great collaboration", says De Backer

Actions in different domains

In Sint-Niklaas and Aalst, IGS Westlede isn't sitting on its hands either. "If you perform more cremations per day, you use less gas. We are adapting our planning system to optimise the use of the gas-fired cremation lines. This allows you to reduce gas consumption by a fifth to a quarter. In the long term, we are also committed to actions to make our buildings more climate-neutral. And if you know that we receive 200.000 visitors yearly in Lochristi, or 50.000 to 75.000 cars in the car park, we can also take initiatives there. I’m thinking of charging stations and better cycling infrastructure. And I hope that De Lijn will also change its routes, so that there will be a stop in front of our door again," says De Backer.

“By switching from gas to electricity, we will reduce our CO2 emissions by 600 tonnes”

“We are adapting our scheduling system to optimise the use of the gas-fired cremation lines.”

Sven De Backer, Director IGS Westlede