Human Composting
A new end-of-life care option is appealing to gardeners, allowing them to be composted and returned to their garden as soil
The world's largest human composting facility has opened in Maryland, offering an alternative to traditional burial and cremation. The facility, operated by Earth Funeral, can compost 2,000 humans a year and produces around 250-300 pounds of nutrient-rich soil per body.
How Are Humans Composted?
In the Maryland facility, bodies are wrapped in a biodegradable shroud and laid on natural mulch and wood chips in a sealed stainless steel vessel. The mix is composted into soil over 30-45 days, with temperatures reaching over 130°F to kill any harmful pathogens. The resulting soil is independently tested to ensure it's safe for plants and animals.
The composting process retains 90% of the body's nutrients, forming an enriched soil full of components that gardeners will recognize from any fertilizer sack. Nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium from the body support plant growth, while calcium and trace minerals enhance soil structure and support key plant functions.
Is Human Composting Legal?
Human composting is only legal in 14 states, but transferring bodies interstate for composting is permitted across all 50 states. The resulting soil can also be shipped back to the family, making this service available nationwide.
Can Human Compost be Used in the Garden?
Soil created from human remains looks no different from regular garden compost and is full of nutrients. It can be used as a soil improver, mixed at a ratio of 10-20% into garden soil or container potting soil, or used as a nutritious mulch. However, local restrictions vary, and it's essential to check what your locality allows.
The use of human-composted soil is prohibited for growing crops in some states, but most allow the entire volume of soil to be taken home for personal use. Selling the soil, using it in a commercial venture, or spreading it on public land or someone else's property without permission is banned in most states.
The Rise of Human Composting
The USA is pioneering the process of soil transformation, also known as terramation and natural organic reduction. With human composting now legal in 14 American states, the US is the only country to offer this end-of-life option on a widespread basis. According to the source, Gardening Know How, human composting is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to burial, green burial, or cremation.
As reported by Gardening Know How, the cost of human composting starts from around $6,000, comparable to that of a burial, green burial, or cremation. The real driver of end-of-life composting is its personal nature, allowing individuals to return as soil to their yard or contribute to a conservation effort. Emma, a keen natural crafter and avid gardener, notes that roses grow well in nutrient-rich soil, making an enduring tribute to a lost loved one. The nutrient-rich soil produced by human composting can be used to plant a remembrance tree or create a legacy garden, providing a lasting tribute to loved ones.
