Dust to Dust

It goes by many names: Terramation, Human composting, Soil transformation, natural organic reduction (NOR), recomposition, and body composting. It is one of the many options now available as an alternative to burial or cremation and is quickly gaining popularity as one of the most environmentally friendly options for disposing of your remains.

Currently legal in 12 states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington Terramation transforms a body into roughly one cubic yard of nutrient rich soil that can be donated to conservation sites for land restoration projects, organic farms or land preserves, or returned to loved ones for using in a garden, planting a tree or whatever use they may have for the soil.

The process generally takes about 30-45 days and is done in facilities with special vessels that balance carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and water and optimize the temperature and moisture levels. Using elements like wood chips, mulch, wildflowers, alfalfa and straw.

Currently the costs of terramation are approximately $500-$7000. Which is generally less than traditional burial fees and usually more than flame cremation or aquamation. Studies show that it is probably the most environmental option of the four of them.

If you are interested in terramation or would like more information on it please check out one of these sites:

https://earthfuneral.com/resources/complete-guide-to-human-composting/

https://recompose.life/faqs/what-is-human-composting/

https://www.earthsoption.com/funeral-planning/terramation

https://www.thenaturalfuneral.com/natural-organic-reduction-body-composting