Our previous blogs have addressed three different forms of end-of-life care for a body. These include traditional burial, cremation, and the newest form of burial, alkaline hydrolysis, or water cremation. Another practice is being introduced into end-of-life care (except it is rather old for that matter), and this practice is recomposition, or human composition. Human composition is exactly as it sounds; it is allowing the body to decompose naturally in soil that is later returned to the family to use as they would like. Although this is the most natural form of body disposal, it is a foreign concept in today’s culture. As a result of this, we will discuss the information available so that we might shed a little light on this different practice.
Recomposition has been dubbed the greenest form of burial as no alternative chemicals or processes are used during the burial that could later harm the planet. During human composition, the deceased person is buried in only a shroud without having alterations to their body such as embalming. They are buried in compost in a 5’ by 10’ vessel in order to allow the natural decomposition process to take place. The vessels are kept at a temperature of 131 degrees Fahrenheit for about 72 hours in order to kill any harmful pathogens in the body, which heat is created from microbes that naturally inhabit the body and soil. As this is happening, oxygen is sucked into the vessel in order to promote quick decomposition. In as little time as a month, the body is completely decomposed into about a cubic yard of nutrient dense compost.
The families then have the option to do what they would like with this compost. They could plant it in a sentimental location or even in their backyards. While it is obvious that this is the most natural and green process, it is also extremely cost effective. Traditional burial funerals cost on average $7,000 – $9,000, and cremation costs $1,000 just for the cremation itself. Human composition costs $5,000 in total, including services and the recomposition process. This is the most cost-effective process for those that are uncomfortable with cremation and unable to pay traditional burial’s expensive fees.
As this is such a cost-effective alternative, Washington is the first state to consider allowing human composition as a feasible option in body disposal. Human composition would enable those who are unable to afford traditional burial the option of still burying a body without having to turn to cremation, which some religions still discourage. Washington is also considering allowing the practice as it is the most environmentally friendly option. The green form of burial does not integrate any foreign substances or microbes into its practice, but rather allows the body to “go the way of the earth,” as all other living things do. Recomposition also saves on resources such as wood, concrete, and steel. The practice is the best option for those who only want to leave a positive impact on the environment after death.
With this information in mind, it is time to consider if this form of burial is a realistic option in today’s world. It is certainly different than other socially accepted practices, but that may not necessarily be a negative thing. Human composition is an extremely natural process. It minimizes harmful practices and actually produces rather positive impacts on the environment as the nutrients in the soil are beneficial to any greenery that would be planted on top of it. It also is a hygienic process as those who qualify for the human composting cannot have additional diseases that would not be killed through the natural heating process. Recomposition is also a great alternative form of burial for those who cannot afford traditional burial and feel uncomfortable with cremation in its various forms. As a result of these facts, we believe that human composition is a feasible option for willing to think outside of societal norms and who may be interested in its many benefits.