Exploring Back to Basics: The Uptick in Human Composting Practices

In a bid to offer a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial methods, human composting is gaining traction as a promising solution. This innovative approach, which involves transforming human remains into nutrient-rich soil, is being embraced by families and urban planners alike.

The story of Fritz Weresch, a high school senior who died on November 30, 2022, from natural causes, serves as a poignant example of this shift. His parents, Eileen and Wes Weresch, chose human composting for their son's remains, a decision that was inspired by an NPR segment Eileen heard in 2019. The company that handled Fritz's body after its transformation into soil in Seattle is called Recompose.

Human composting, also known as natural organic reduction or "terramation," is a process that converts human remains into soil. This soil can then be used for various purposes, such as planting trees, spreading in gardens, or donating to nature preserves or land restoration projects. After Fritz's body completed its transformation, Eileen and her husband are making plans to distribute his remains to loved ones and build a memorial garden in his honor.

The practice of human composting is estimated to become a $1 billion industry, with startups like Return Home leading the way. Truman, the founder of Return Home, believes the process gives families more time to grieve compared to traditional funeral industry practices. Return Home's standard pricing for human composting is $4,950, a significant cost savings compared to the median cost of a traditional funeral with a casket burial in 2021, which was $7,848, according to the National Funeral Directors' Association (NFDA).

Carlton Basmajian, an urban planner, sees more promise in "natural" or "green" burials, which entails designating land for the burial of bodies without chemicals or coffins. This approach aligns with the growing interest in eco-friendly practices, as evidenced by a 2019 survey from the NFDA, which found that more than 52% of Americans are interested in "green burial."

The environmental benefits of human composting are substantial. Unlike cremation, which releases air pollutants, including particulate matter, and emits about 573 pounds of carbon dioxide per corpse, human composting is carbon capturing instead of carbon emitting. It also avoids the use of hazardous embalming chemicals and nonbiodegradable materials commonly associated with more mainstream practices such as cremation and casket burial.

The adoption of human composting is not limited to families seeking a more environmentally friendly option. Six states have legalized human composting in the last four years, with Washington state being the first to do so in 2019. Traditional funeral homes in Washington are responding to the demand for human composting, offering it as a service.

However, the practice is not without controversy. Formaldehyde, a chemical used in embalming, is listed as a probable human carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency, and according to a study by the National Cancer Institute, morticians have a significantly higher rate of myeloid leukemia. These concerns are mitigated in human composting, as the process does not involve embalming.

In conclusion, human composting offers a promising solution for those seeking a more eco-friendly end-of-life practice. With its growing popularity and the increasing number of states legalizing the process, it seems that this innovative approach is here to stay.