Latest news with #FarzanBaradaranRahimi
Wales Online
6 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
UK may need to consider digital and eco-friendly graveyard solutions as space for dead runs out
UK may need to consider digital and eco-friendly graveyard solutions as space for dead runs out Innovative ways to bury the dead will be needed in the near future, especially in overcrowded urban areas, according to a new study by a professor at Canada's MacEwan University Graveyards could go digital in the future as UK towns and cities run out of space (Image: Getty Images ) Experts warn that cemeteries may need to adopt digital solutions as urban areas in England and Wales are rapidly running out of burial space. With the global death rate projected to reach nearly 90 million by 2048, innovative burial methods will be necessary, especially in overcrowded cities. In 2024, England and Wales recorded 568,613 deaths, prompting The Law Commission to suggest reusing old graves and reopening closed burial grounds, some of which have been declared "full" since the Victorian era, to address the shortage. To ensure respect for the deceased, safeguards would be implemented, allowing graves to be repurposed only if the last burial occurred at least 75 years ago. A recent study by Dr. Farzan Baradaran Rahimi, an assistant professor at MacEwan University in Canada, proposes alternative ways to remember the deceased, such as living on as trees, generating green electricity, or even as holograms that can converse with loved ones. The Necropolis 4.0 report highlights that factors such as population growth, climate change, land shortage, resource constraints, and social inequalities are contributing to the diminishing availability of burial space. Graveyards are running out of space (Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images ) It emphasises "there is still an increasing need to find new ways to design for death as a social space in the urban future to make it less resource-demanding and isolated, but more nature-friendly and social leveraging emerging technologies and techniques". In the future, cemeteries may transform from traditional headstone rows into interactive spaces where we engage with our ancestors. The report envisions people uploading their memories to extensive databases during their lifetimes, reports the Mirror. Article continues below Artificial intelligence will be utilised to create holograms, enabling future generations to interact with virtual versions of ourselves. In parallel, our remains could be placed in biodegradable pods with seeds, fostering the growth of trees and shrubs. Thermal towers could harness the heat emitted to generate electricity through turbines. Dr Rahimi is optimistic about the potential shift in conventional attitudes towards death, particularly among younger generations. He commented: "While some will embrace the idea of 'digital immortality', others may resist it, particularly due to cultural or spiritual understandings of death, the afterlife, and the nature of existence. But younger generations - and those that follow - may be more receptive to these ideas. "They might see such concepts as a natural evolution of the world they inhabit, where identity and presence can extend beyond the physical realm." Experts suggest greener and more digital orientated solutions could be the answer (Image: Getty Images ) Dr Rahimi led a group of specialists to explore radical ideas about mortality. His study, featured in the journal Cities, suggests: "A nature-human-machine relationship... paves the way for... a novel, green, and sustainable design for death in the urban future. Necropolis 4.0 eliminates the need for physical burial spaces, significantly reducing the environmental footprint." Article continues below Necropolis 4.0 envisions a system of subterranean centres where individuals can preserve their memories. These hubs would also serve as places for people to interact with holograms that replicate our voices and facial expressions. The deceased would be laid to rest in biodegradable pods alongside seeds to cultivate plants. The report further notes: "This paves the way for the spread of greenery, extending even to the rooftop gardens of skyscrapers. "As the plants flourish, they contribute to the natural beauty of the surroundings while also purifying the air. Thermal energy created in the rapid composition process will serve the power grid across the city."
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Towns and cities are running out of space to bury the dead
Innovative ways to bury the dead will be needed in the near future especially in overcrowded urban areas Graveyards could be forced to go digital as towns and cities are set to run out of room to bury the dead, experts say. The United Nations estimates total annual global deaths will reach nearly 90 million in 2048. So innovative ways to bury the dead will be needed in the near future, especially in overcrowded urban areas. Last year The Law Commission warned urban areas across England and Wales are fast running out of burial space. In 2024, there were 568,613 deaths registered in England and Wales. They suggested old graves could be reused and closed burial grounds - some of which were declared 'full' in Victorian times - should be reopened to tackle a shortage of space for the dead. Safeguards would also be in place for each individual grave, with plots only eligible for repurpose when the last person was buried at least 75 years ago. Now a study by Dr Farzan Baradaran Rahimi, assistant professor of design and immersive learning at Canada's MacEwan University, says we're destined to live on as trees, green electricity and even holograms that can chat to relatives. The Necropolis 4.0 report states population growth, climate change, land shortage, resource constraints, and social inequalities are all factors in the declining amount of burial space. It says 'there is still an increasing need to find new ways to design for death as a social space in the urban future to make it less resource-demanding and isolated, but more nature-friendly and social leveraging emerging technologies and techniques'. Instead of rows of headstones future cemeteries will become an interactive experience with our ancestors. The report predicts that during their lifetimes, people will be able to upload memories into vast databases. AI will create holograms, allowing future generations to share our experiences with virtual versions of ourselves. Meanwhile, our bodies would be interred with seeds in biodegradable pods which will help bushes and trees grow. The heat given off will be gathered in thermal towers to power electricity turbines. Dr Rahimi believes his ideas would change conventional views on death – and is convinced the young generations will understand. He said: 'While some will embrace the idea of 'digital immortality', others may resist it, particularly due to cultural or spiritual understandings of death, the afterlife, and the nature of existence. But younger generations - and those that follow - may be more receptive to these ideas. 'They might see such concepts as a natural evolution of the world they inhabit, where identity and presence can extend beyond the physical realm.' Dr Rahimi convened a panel of experts to think the unthinkable about death. His report, published in the journal Cities, states: 'A nature-human-machine relationship… paves the way for… a novel, green, and sustainable design for death in the urban future. Necropolis 4.0 eliminates the need for physical burial spaces, significantly reducing the environmental footprint.' Necropolis 4.0 would see a network of underground hubs where the living will drop in and upload their memories. And they will also be where loved ones will later visit holograms that mimic our voice and facial expressions. Bodies would be interred with seeds in biodegradable pods to grow plants. The report adds: 'This paves the way for the spread of greenery, extending even to the rooftop gardens of skyscrapers. 'As the plants flourish, they contribute to the natural beauty of the surroundings while also purifying the air. Thermal energy created in the rapid composition process will serve the power grid across the city.'
