January 9, 2023
Over the years it has become increasingly expensive to bury your loved ones using traditional burial services. Cremation has historically been the most cost-effective method with the added option of allowed loved ones to do with the remains as they wish. However, a more green alternative is quickly gaining traction in the U.S. funeral industry: composting human remains.
New York has become the sixth state in the United States to pass legislation permitting specially designated centers to conduct this procedure, the bill signed by Governor Kathy Hochul on December 30, 2022.
Human composting, or more formally referred to as Natural Organic Reduction, is described under the bill as "the contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil." The soil from the process can be used by family members for personal purposes such as gardening or additional composting. While it is more environmentally friendly, the associated costs are similar to that of a conventional burial.
In 2021, the first full-service human composting centre opened in the U.S. called Recompose, located in Washington. The center follows a 4-phase cycle with the body being placed in a vessel with materials including wood chips and straw. The body can be broken down in as little as 30 days and produces nutrient rich soil to be used in forests, gardens and conservations areas. Human composting is also less taxing on the environment. One cremation can produce over 500 lbs of CO2 emissions, from the use of fossil fuels, compared to net zero emissions from composting. Burials in the US can cause soil pollution, requiring an estimated 4.3 million gallons of embalming fluid and 1.3 tonnes of concrete to be buried.
Other states that provide this service include California, Seattle, Oregon, Vermont, Colorado.
Countries like the UK and Canada have not yet legalized the procedure but interest groups including The Good Green Project have been raising awareness for its acceptance and implementation.
Cover Image: Freepik
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