3 February 2013 Last updated at 11:05 ET

Jersey minister proposes freeze drying dead bodies

A scheme to allow Jersey people to have their bodies freeze dried upon death has been proposed by the island's environment minister.

Deputy Rob Duhamel said the initiative would be more environmentally friendly than cremation or burial.

The process involves freezing a corpse with liquid nitrogen, then vibrating it to reduce the body to powder.

Deputy Duhamel said he would ask the States to legalise the scheme, which would allow for burial in woodland.

He believes that this would be possible, as the powdered body would eventually turn to soil.

"I think it's absolutely fantastic and represents the best way out of all the methods of being buried," he said.

"A lot more people are wanting a woodland burial as opposed to a cemetery."

Woodland burials are currently not allowed in Jersey, due to fears of contamination from metal contained in people's bodies.

Mr Duhamel said that any metal would be removed at the end of the process.

Freezing would also stop any emissions of noxious fumes in cremation.