COMPOSTING AS THE NEW CREMATION?

Cremation is now the most popular means of disposing of human remains, surpassing 50 percent in 2016. However, society’s increasing interest in reducing the carbon footprint coupled with a predicted “death boom” on the horizon has fostered interest in alternatives. A traditional burial uses resources to furnish a casket, reserve a plot of land indefinitely, and toxic chemicals to embalm.  The carbon footprint from cremation is smaller but still emits about 40 pounds of carbon and requires 30 gallons of fuel. As a result, Washington’s legislature has been the first to approve composting human bodies. The bill is waiting signature by the state’s governor but is expected to be signed.

If the bill passes, a company called Recompose plans to sell their composting services for $5,500 which would include a funeral ceremony. The process of composting a body takes about 30 days and results in one cubic yard of compost, or about two wheel barrels. The use of the compost would still follow current laws on the disposition of human remains, such as ashes.

If the trend continues composting could be allowed in other states in the coming years. If composting is something you are interested in be sure to speak with an estate planning attorney to make appropriate arrangements in your estate planning documents.

The full Washington Post article can be found here: Washington passes bill to become first state to compost human bodies