Today, Explained Compost yourself
Jan 17, 2023
Eleanor Cummins, a freelance science journalist specializing in death care, teams up with Tanya Marsh, a law professor focused on funeral and cemetery law. They dive into the rising trend of human composting, now legalized in six states, presenting a sustainable alternative to burial and cremation. The conversation highlights historical shifts in death customs and addresses public perceptions of composting. With personal anecdotes and insights into the environmental benefits, they explore how society is reimagining death in an eco-friendly way.
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Eco-Friendly Death Care
- People are increasingly concerned about their environmental impact, even after death.
- Human composting offers a greener alternative to traditional burial or cremation.
How Composting Works
- Human composting uses a similar process to backyard composting, involving greens (the body) and browns (organic matter).
- Microbes decompose the body in an oxygen-rich environment, creating soil over time.
A Brother's Compost
- Marie Eaton chose human composting for her brother Wayne, an avid gardener.
- They used the resulting soil to plant Wayne's Japanese maple trees, creating living memorials.
