What funerals may look like in the future from water cremation to skyscraper cemeteries Updated: 30 Jan 2021, 11:50 THE UK had more deaths in 2020 than at any other time since the Second World War thanks to the pandemic – which might have caused toxic mercury levels to shoot up too. The government is now investigating if crematoria being open for longer could have led to an increase in the deadly substance in the environment – which can cause kidney disease, MS, and even birth defects. 10 A coffin burning in a crematorium - the pandemic has led to huge numbers of bodies needing to be disposed ofCredit: AP:Associated Press