A body is placed in a kind of vessel along with things like wood chips, straw and alfalfa which creates a warm atmosphere. This really helps microbes settle in and break it down. It's then left in this vessel for about eight weeks or up to 12. And that might sound a bit grisly and grim but it ends with a small mound of soil which can be given back to the families and used to plant trees or nurture plants. Lizzy Pete writes for the economist and is based in New York.