I&#x27;ve yet to read a criticism of this being harmful to the environment, save the fact that it takes up land that could otherwise be used for agriculture&#x2F;forestry.<p>Tangential: That&#x27;s the commandment of Jewish burial law.<p>Bodies are to be buried in simple, plain linen or cotton hand-made shrouds.  One reason is so that those who cannot afford fancy clothing aren&#x27;t embarrassed that they don&#x27;t have any.<p>Also, bodies are supposed to be buried without caskets, but in areas where local law mandates burial with a casket, that casket is to be simple and modest, rather than an ornate coffin.<p>I believe similar laws are applicable in Islam.