A problem you hadn't thought of

Monday, 4 March 2024 06:30

There’s a problem in the cemeteries in Geneva. We’re burying bodies too deep.

Laws in French speaking cantons vary – in canton Vaud they must be one meter 20 deep – and in Jura one meter 80.

But Vincent Varlet – the head of the taphonomy* unit for French speaking Switzerland - says it’s too deep for efficient decomposition.

He says there isn’t enough bacteria at that depth, and bodies should be buried shallower.

The City of Geneva is already aware of the problem and plans to increase soil ventilation in its cemeteries.

*the study of decomposition.

More from Bitesize News

Voters to make major decisions this weekend

Voters head to the polls this weekend to decide two closely watched national issues.
Moves to toughen juvenile justice

There are moves to toughen up how courts can deal with juvenile offenders, including giving more leeway to treat a young offender as an adult.
New Geneva school already full

A brand-new Geneva school is already full.
Mpox infections on the rise

Health authorities here are reporting a rise in mpox infections this year, mirroring trends seen elsewhere in Europe.
Possible relief for over debt

Parliament has approved a new right to debt erasure for the chronically indebted.
Border closures and checks start today

Cross border commuters face heavy delays from today as border checks and closures start, due to increased security measures ahead of the G7 summit.