Introduction:

In many parts of the world, there are oxygen-deprived soils that prevent the conversion of organic matter. This has in particular disadvantages to the soil at cemeteries. In some European countries, the deceased were still wrapped in plastic film without anticipating the possible consequences when recycling the tombs. These various conditions make it difficult and even impossible to reuse tombs, as expected. The circumstances do not conform to the requirements of the Working Environment Act.

In Norway and some European countries, the responsibility of operating cemeteries is conducted by the municipalities. This presentation is focused in this context. However, whether the cemetery is municipality or privately operated, the liming of graves to reuse them poses significant financial savings for whom it may concern. Reusing graves will solve soil and space problems at cemeteries and do not need to acquire a new land. Liming is an environmentally friendly way to solve the problem.

Back to nature

The patented Nomias® method gives the municipalities short and long term economic and environmental benefits.

Norway has more than 1.5 million preserved tombs that are not suitable for reuse

Significant savings

Values between NOK 20 and 30 billion* are “buried” in graves that can not be reused because of poor soils and “plastic grave problems”. Liming of graves can release these values.

These tombs costs municipalities in excess of NOK 1 billion in maintenance costs annually.

According to calculations, new and old tombs charge the municipal budgets by about NOK 750 per grave in annual maintenance. In a financial perspective and in a historical context, it is natural to reuse existing tombs and cemeteries.

* USD 2,5 – 3,7 billion / NOK 750 = USD 93

A sustainable and efficient use of land

The objective of the Ministry of Local Government and Modernization, which was adopted on 12 June 2015, emphasizes the sustainable and efficient use of land. The result of reusing valuable space saves municipalities from large future investments. This means that the need for new cemeteries or expansion of existing land lapses and the municipality avoids additional investments and associated running costs. The rehabilitation by liming tombs frees valuable space in our cemeteries.

To obtain an efficient utilization, extensive groundwork must be carried out to suffice the future demand for cemeteries. The demographics of municipal districts are assessed against the areas that are available for reuse. The need for burial area is studied for the next 30-50 years and then administrative and political decisions are made to fully support the treatment of cemeteries through liming of graves in the coming decades.

Treatment costs ofconserved grave content relative to new established tombs

Surveys show that a new burial costsfrom NOK 10,000 to unimaginable NOK 80,000 in the most extreme cases. According to cost estimates from NOU** "Equal and Similarity“, liming is far less expensive than other options such as extensions of cemeteries or establishment of new burial land.

Future investment needs in new cemeteries can therefore be adaptable to a significantly lower level. The difference between reuse and use of new burial land are formidable in a cost-saving perspective for municipalities.

**NOU = “Official Norwegian Report”

4500

13000

15000

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

Nomias-metoden

Etablering avny kistegrav

Kalking* Kjøp av tomteareal Opparbeidelse av ny grav **

NOK 1 000,- pr. m2 groundspace

Liming of grave compared with establishing a new grave through preparation and purchase of new land.

Liming* Purchase of land Preparation of a new grave**

Establishinga new grave

Nomias-method

* Need for other measures after liming may occur** Ref. NOU 2014: 2 Equal and similarity, page 93

Cumulative annual maintenance cost on new graves

Maintenance is based on a cost of NOK 700, - / new tomb a year. Accumulated over 20 years, this provides a maintenance cost per new tomb NOK. 14 000, -.These are costs that lapses using the Nomias method, because reuse of existing graves.

NOK 700 = USD 85 / NOK 14000 = USD 1714

Financial savings and benefitsby reusing graves

• Reduces future investments• Reduces current operating expenses• Enabling rapid reuse of graves• Solves the problem of shortage of land• Release funds for alternative investments• Better utilization of budgeted funds

Issues:

Our method compared tothe funeral law regulations

In a legal assessment made by the Law Firm Simonsen Vogt Wiig AS, the lime method is related to Funeral Law regulations.

Conclusions:• Preserved tomb contents can be processed.• It is up to the trustees to make the decision and

take action to rectify the situation.• The limits defined in the funeral law § 3.• The legal assessment is trusted with The Ministry

of Church Affairs.

Issues:

Replacement of soil masses

In a legal assessment made by the Law Firm Steenstrup Stordrange DA, they highlight the legal relations regarding the replacement of soil masses on larger scales, as well as reconstruction of cemeteries for reuse of graves.

Conclusions:• The Funeral Law does not preclude to implement

such measures.• It must be obtained permissions from the

Episcopal Council and implemented in accordance with the Planning and Building Act.

Issues:

When the body is not degraded within expected 20 years time

In a legal assessment made by the law firm Steenstrup Stordrange DA regarding the responsibility of the municipality towards the bereaved, if the conversion has not taken place and there has been a conservation of the tomb.

Conclusions:• The municipality has a duty to facilitate

decomposition.• If not enough information given to the parties

before leasing agreement is concluded on ground conditions and expected degradation, it could release a financial liability to the municipality.

The municipality has a responsibility

The liming method gives municipalities clear gains in economy, environment and savings of land. The municipalities have management responsibility, and shall ensure that cemeteries are operated in accordance with applicable regulations. The municipalities should also make sure to allocate funds for its operations and investments, as well as to safeguard the cultural and value term considerations.

Reusing preserved tombs that are not treated is not compatible with the working environment for employees, and is contrary to the regulations of the Working Environment Act.

In an environmental perspective, liming provide an efficient utilization of existing cemeteries, and interventions were minimal and discreet compared to new establishments and spatial extensions. In this manner, the municipality is showing respect for the bereaved who can still be close to the cemetery they belong to. With long-term planning, and that municipalities are legally obliged a number of free available graves, it will be in the municipality's interest to open for reuse such traditions have been at cemeteries, from a historical perspective.

From simple mechanical solutions to advanced

automated processes

We envision the benefits of the church authorities and municipalities:

A gentle and qualitatively well executed process

Low noise level of the equipment and respect for the environment

An environmentally friendly and cost-saving process

The equipment is well adapted to the cemetery

Treatment with lime performed with discretion

New graves are quickly available after treatment (reusable after 2 years)

The technology ensures an environmentally friendly production and a satisfactory result that meets all quality and safety requirements. There has been a vast technological development since the start and the first attempts with lime injections, until today. The custom-built equipment was made in cooperation with different collaborators. The company has in recent years adapted the technological quality requirements for documentation of the processes. Today we have an advanced management and logging system that is based on the newest technology. The result is a highly advanced and environmentally friendly production.

Overview of the current and future situation of the municipal cemeteries

• It is necessary to have a complete overview of the municipality to take the right decisions in this field• Long-term planning

An increasing social problem..

• The population growth will increase in the years ahead• The aging is upon us with large birth rates of the postwar

period• The death rate will rise in the years ahead and the need

for cemeteries will rise. And even though the proportion of cremations will increase, there will be a need for regular casket funerals

• Immigration - religions with different traditions and needs• Increased centralization• Prioritization and good management of budgeted funds in

municipalities

Traditional solutions do not necessarily solve the problem

We offer the patented Nomias® method

Please contact us for more information:

E-mail: info@protempra.comWeb: www.protempra.com