Crematoriums in Fife and Tayside have signed up to a new recycling scheme that proves there is at least some life after death.
The scheme sees any metal such as hip replacements or even fillings recovered after the cremation and then sold for scrap. This metal can then be turned into objects such as street signs or even car parts.
Around two tonnes of metal is recovered by Dutch company Orthometals each year from eight Scottish crematoriums: Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline, Perth, South Lanarkshire, Glasgow Craigton, Edinburgh Seafield , Edinburgh Warriston and Masonhill in Ayrshire.
Magnets and tongs are used to extract any metal left over after cremations, including joint screws and even coffin nails.
This is then sold for scrap with 80% of the proceeds going to charity.
A replacement hip costs the NHS around £1,500 but its scrap value is just £2.15.
Fife Council’s bereavement services manager Liz Murphy said: “Our crematoriums in Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline have been recycling metals since 2007.
“In previous years we would have buried this material discreetly in the crematorium gardens but space was becoming an issue. Recycling not only benefits the environment, but 80% of the proceeds also go to bereavement-related charities including Cancer Research and the Heart Foundation.
“Families are always asked for their permission before any metal is recycled.”