On June 12, Facebook user Maia Tvaltvadze, known for frequently spreading false information, published a post claiming that the World Economic Forum (WEF) is urging governments to ban traditional funerals and dispose of human remains through sewage systems. The claim is based on an article from The People’s Voice, a screenshot of which is included in the post.
A similar post was shared in the Russian-language group З Ы Р Ь and on the Telegram channel Россия на игле.
The claim that the World Economic Forum is mandating governments to cancel funerals is false. In reality, the UK is considering legalizing a new method of burial known as water cremation, but traditional burial methods are not being banned. The People’s Voice is known for regularly publishing disinformation and conspiracy-based content.
The article from The People’s Voice cites the British outlet The Telegraph as its source. However, The Telegraph article does not state that the World Economic Forum is banning burials or urging governments to flush corpses into sewers. The WEF has made no such statement on its official website or social media pages.
The Telegraph article discusses an alternative to burial and cremation called “water cremation.” This new method uses pressurized water and an alkaline solution instead of fire. The deceased’s body is placed in a sealed chamber where water and alkali create the conditions necessary for the breakdown of organic tissue. The chamber is heated to 150°C, stimulating a chemical reaction, and pressure is increased to prevent boiling. The process lasts about 2-4 hours, during which the body’s soft tissues – skin, muscles, and organs – are completely broken down. The resulting liquid, composed of amino acids, peptides, sugars, and minerals, is environmentally safe. It can be released into the sewage system or disposed of by other ecological means. Bones and teeth remain but are softened in structure. These remains are ground into powder, just as in traditional cremation, and are usually returned to the family. This cremation method is considered to have less environmental impact.
The Telegraph article notes that water cremation could become fully legal in the UK. Since 2024, the UK Law Commission has been working on updating legislation and issuing recommendations. The Commission notes that water cremation and another new burial method, human composting, are already accepted in several U.S. states, as well as Ireland, and parts of Canada and Australia. The Commission’s goal is to regulate new burial methods, with safeguards for the environment, public health and safety, and human dignity. The process will continue until spring 2026 and will conclude with a final report and draft legislation.
The first instance of water cremation in the UK occurred in 2019, when it was performed on five bodies as part of a specially authorized study. The study found that the resulting liquid was completely safe for sewage disposal. The main obstacle to adopting new burial methods is not chemical safety but public perception, as many people view the new process negatively.
Neither The Telegraph article nor the UK Law Commission mentions banning traditional funerals. Therefore, the claim by The People’s Voice that the World Economic Forum is mandating governments to ban burials is false.
Myth Detector has previously fact-checked several false claims by The People’s Voice, including:
- Conspiracies involving the World Economic Forum Is Being Circulating
- Disinformation, as if the German Government Said That There Was No Pandemic
- Does the World Economic Forum Plan to Artificially Trigger a Famine?
About The People’s Voice
The original source of the false claim, The People’s Voice, frequently publishes various types of disinformation, including conspiracy theories. It was established in 2014 under the name YourNewsWire, later rebranded as NewsPunch, and eventually changed its name to The People’s Voice after repeatedly spreading false information under previous names. According to Poynter.org, as early as 2018, the site had published around 80 false articles. Myth Detector has fact-checked numerous false claims that originated from articles published by this outlet.
Prepared by Lizi Chachiashvili
Myth Detector Lab
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