It is widely accepted that the battle to reduce Britain’s carbon emissions will require bold decisions from government, and no little sacrifice by British citizens.

In the pursuit of this greater good, however, a local authority on the edge of Greater Manchester has noted that one group of Britons are failing to do their bit.

The dead in the jurisdiction of Tameside Council are simply not pulling their weight. The council has now arrived at a rather daring solution.

The issue was first noted as officers pondered the problems of Dukinfield Crematorium. The crematorium needed heating when mourners went to commit their beloved to the flames. It was also obliged to use less energy.

Was there not an elegant solution to both problems, that at a stroke would make the building warm and cosy and reduce its carbon footprint?

The officers dared to think the unthinkable. They proposed that heat from the burning bodies could be recaptured and used to power the boiler and the chapel’s lighting system.

Robin Monk, head of environment at Tameside Council, admitted: “If you look at it in black and white, some people might sit there thinking ‘my relative is being cremated to heat the chapel’.”

However, he said that the council would tread carefully. “We are conscious that it might be a sensitive matter,” he said. “We will carry out full consultation with local priests, vicars and the public before a decision is taken.”

As well as the drive to reduce carbon emmissions, another environmental issue had driven the council to consider the issue.

By 2012 councils are obliged to cut the amount of mercury released into the atmosphere. Crematoriums commonly emit mercury, which is caused by the vaporisation of tooth fillings. As most people older than 30 still have mercury tooth fillings, this problem is expected to continue for 60 years. The Government estimates that crematoria will be Britain’s biggest source of mercury emissions by 2020.

The solution in Dukinfield was a filter, which would cost £500,000. The mercury is then removed by reducing the temperature from 1,000C (1832F), the heat at which cremations take place, to 160C.

Mr Monk said: “Heat exchangers will be installed to reduce the temperature. The rest is simply wasted up the chimney.”

He said that he and his team of officers certainly didn’t want to upset people. He urged those who felt anxious that their dearly departed would be powering the lights should think of it differently.

“It’s just heat which will otherwise be lost,” he said. “The option is to capture it and re-use it for warming the radiators or boiling the kettles. We could just install the mercury abatement equipment and nothing else. But in this day and age we all have to look at reducing our carbon footprint.”

Parishioners are now contemplating the proposal, but the early signs are that the clergy will be supportive.

The Rev Tim Hayes, of St John’s Church, Dukinfield, said: “I have no problem with it. They treat people with real dignity at the crematorium, but the procedure itself is a very scientific process. I’ll be very intrested to see how the plans unfold.”

The Rev Vernon Marshall, of Old Chapel, Dukinfield, said: “As a final act of generosity, it’s a lovely way for the dead to provide comfort for the living at a difficult time. I think it’s a great idea.”

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