The 2022 NDFA Consumer Study findings showed 60.4% of people planning their funerals aged forty and over are interested in exploring green funeral options like human composting. The Green Burial Council lists, as of May 7, 2023, 418 green burial cemeteries in the United States and Canada. The council defines a green burial with the following four characteristics: caring for the dead with the minimal environmental impact that aids in the conservation of natural resources, reduction of carbon emissions, protection of worker health, and restoration and/or preservation of habitat.
How We Approach Burials is Changing.
According to the 2022 National Directors Funeral Association (NDFA) Cremation and Burial Report, cremations are projected to rise from 1.9 million in 2022 to 2.94 million in 2040, with burials decreasing from 1.3 million in 2020 to 608,200 in 2040. For comparison, cremations stood at 1 million in 2010, with burials at 1.3 million.
What is Human Composting?
What do human composting, body composting, natural organic reduction (NOR), soil transformation, and terramation have in common? They are all names for an accelerated method of composting human remains created when a body is placed in a steel container with wood chips, alfalfa, and straw. Oxygen and heat are applied to speed up the process, and the naturally occurring microbes provide the decomposition. On average (dependent on body size and the proprietary process used), it takes 30-180 days for assisted human decomposing to occur.
What States Allow Human Composting?
Body composting is currently legal in seven states (listed in order of legalization): Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, California, New York, and Nevada). Although California Governor Gavin Newson signed legislation legalizing body composting in 2021, it will not take effect until January 2027. If one lives in a state without legalization, their body can be shipped to a state that does. That would remove the carbon-neutral aspect.
The following states have pending body composting legislation: Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Virginia.
Which Companies Are Composting Human Remains?
The table below lists the current body composting facilities, their approximate costs, and the length of time for the body composting process:
FACILITY/ LOCATION COST PROCESS TIME
Herland Forest, Wahkiacus, Washington $3,000 90-180 days
Return Home, Auburn, Washington $4,950 basic package 30 days
earth, Auburn, Washington $5,450 Seattle area 45 days
Recompose, Seattle, Washington $7,000 56-84 days
The Natural Funeral, Lafayette, Colorado $7,900 basic package 120-180 days
How Does Human Composting Compare to Traditional Burials?
Advocates for body composting state it improves soil health, conserves energy as no fossil fuels are used, and no pollutants enter the environment. Traditional casket burials use 20 million board feet of hardwoods and 1.6 million tons of concrete, along with 4.3 million gallons of embalming fluid buried each year. Yearly cremations release 1.02 tons of Carbon Dioxide.
Planning for After-Death Care
Planning for one’s after-death care is as important as composing your will, establishing your trust, and writing your medical treatment wishes. It allows you to specify how your body is treated and what kind of final farewell you want to have.
Human composting is earth-friendly. It deserves to be made available as a green burial option for people who are interested.
