Human Composting: An Eco-Friendly Alternative to Burial & Cremation
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- ‘The average cremation release is like 530 pounds of CO2 into the atmosphere’ - This funeral home’s alternative practices treat the planet better and make something beautiful out of loss 🌱
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I’d take this further by using the mulch as the basis for reforestation, geotagging the individual trees with a virtual gravestone that links to an online obituary. You could have large public nature parks that double as graveyards.
Wow great idea!
@@dynamicworship I am in a project actively doing this now.
@@StephenCahillEcoErudite Wonderful
@@StephenCahillEcoErudite One of my creepier ideas for this was to craft death masks that would be attached to the more mature trees and were engineered in such a way as that the tree would grow over it and give it a face. The reason for this is to remind visitors that these are not just trees, they are graves and deserve a modicum of respect. Studies show that even a picture of a pair of eyes can influence human behavior, as an experiment placing a pair of eyes above a donation box had more contributions than another without.
@@Gantros wow, creepy yes kinda I guess lol. but moreover super dynamic and climate/earth forward (overall, that is, as I realize the “death mask” part is more for human remembrance, BUT, having said that you could argue the “death mask” aspect (sorry lol I can’t help but laugh @ that super macabre name you’ve given it but nonetheless) would also be environment/climate forward b/c it would encourage and give pause to people to respect those particular trees, and others in turn such that the average American might come to regard trees in general as potential ancestors of themselves or any other living breathing fellow American…. Wow that sounds like the plot of Avatar lol but perhaps you get the idea anyway.I was qqq
This would be a great option for animals too. This needs to be done everywhere
Don't you bury your animals in the back yard? That is Direct composting.
In Australia, we have our pets cremated.
As a gardener I most definitely approve! The possibilities are endless for someone like me. Place my soil remains and grow a tree, then keep grafting the tree for future generations, if I’m lucky of course..
As a gardener I also approve.
Fascinating. I always wondered if you could be buried with no coffin, just wrapped in some biodegradable material, so you feed bugs and flowers be recycled. But I supposed you'd still be taking up space in a grave yard. This is the nearest to that concept and you can be planted anywhere you like.
you can be buried in a shroud, but depending on where you are planning on being buried, some places may or may not let you do that. just requires some research.
@@IguanaLife that's interesting thanks, I had heard of shroud burials but not looked into them. However, it still means you have to take up a plot in a cemetary. I'm not totally enamoured of having a fixed spot people go to, a location that had no significance when you were alive. Whereas if you're ultimately fertiliser you can be planted anywhere, you're recycled into earth to help generations of flowers plants and nature. Sadly, I don't think they're doing it in my country. I'll do some research : )
Watch the WIRED videos of morticians answering questions. Burying without a coffin is totally possible
@@IguanaLife
Muslims bury their loved ones like that, and have been doing it from the beginning.
@@Xgendude14 cheers I will 👍
"Ask a Mortician" with Caitlyn Doughty (?) speaks of many different alternatives to burial and cremation. Laws vary from state to state so her site can provide information if this interests anyone. Hope this helps.
she is amazing!
Yes! I referenced her in my comment as well. She is wonderful!
I love that one person can create 200 pounds of soil ! Esp. With the soil shortage coming up in the next few years. This is a great idea. I'm in !
Yes, cause soil everywhere is disappearing...
This made me teary. I have been wondering for years how most people could be so selfish that even on the last day the have left on Earth they still want to take what Mother Nature had provided them for years - by using caskets which kill numbers of trees, release of CO2 fr cremanation, etc. This is how I want to be buried... I want to give back to Mother Earth what I have taken from her.. Just so beautiful.
I always wondered, "What if they buried me or burned me thinking I was dead, when I was really still alive❓"😥 But This way, I can just raise up out of the box and shake off the dirt. I like it ☺️
Oxygen deprivation will kill you in 3-5 min
@@juanmiguelreyes2028 Of course.. but this method doesn't seem to have enough dirt nor does it seem to be densely packed enough to prevent oxygen from getting through to me.
Anxiousness ✅ cured 😂
😂
@@lisear2926 They close the box though, so if you stay longer than 30 min to a few hours inside the box you would still die so the problem solves itself.
Love, love, love. I don't like to take up space on earth when I'm gone, nor the idea of cremation. This is def way to do it, seems so clean and peaceful, and good for the planet. God bless.
😁
Com'on Arizona....
More States should Legalize this.
Islamic burial requires the body to be wrapped in cloth and buried in the earth. Because Western laws require coffins, in North America and Europe the shrouded body is placed in a simple plain wooden coffin that can biodegrade after burrial. Fun fact the shroud/cloth is called a "kuf-fun", pretty sure that's where the word coffin came from.
This is true. Muslims are buried with nothing but wrapped in biodegradable cotton cloth.
I’m 99% that I’m gonna do this type of thing so amazing the work their going allowing people to help the earth even after their departure.
Well, I can't afford any burial, so unless this becomes even more affordable in the future, the plan is to donate my body for science to avoid costing my remaining family anything. I agree it's a good idea, however, and hope people who can use the option chose to do so.
I heard about this on NPR. If everyone did this, it would help with many different problems we face
Although protecting the environment is super important, certain religions and countries have funeral traditions that are sacred to them. Also certain people have final wishes of where they want to buried or where they want there ashes scattered after they die
Well, this is a matter of choice. No one is being forced to deal with remains in this manner.
Ok, nobody is saying this should be compulsory. It's just another option available.
the earth naturally deals with decomposition of matter. who are you to say your religion supersedes the natural order?
the atoms of elements on earth naturally circulate. you take what makes "you" and stick it in a sealed box instead of letting your atoms circulate. have fun with eternity. 😜
What I’m saying is this should be optional and not become the norm for everyone. In Hinduism minus children, babies, and priests almost every deceased adult is cremated. For the Latinx community the holiday el dia de los muretos has the tradition of decorating the loved ones tombstone and offering gifts. We should save the earth but also respect the traditions of others
Yes... Yes, YES !!! I Hope this reaches other states soon💓
This would be something that I would like for my body's departure. I said to my husband for him to make sure that he follows my wishes with the Eco burial sort of speak and then plant a tree with my mulch. He literally thought I was joking SMH
I am surprised to read that 60% of people are interested in this. I thought that it would really put people off but I am happy to see that people are willing to do this for the planet.
I will only add that traditional Jewish burials either use pine caskets because of the belief of dust you shall return. No embalming, or cremation traditionally and burials are done within 24 hrs if possible.
This is actually the way human should be . Back to the mother nature . Wonderful idea.
What a great way to go. Give back to the earth that fed and cared for you. Love it.
100%
This is my wish for my body after I pass. This should be legal in all states. I don’t want to take up space in a cemetery. Cremation was my choice- but now that’s second to this. I love my planet and want her to benefit from me.
Seems like the most promising in terms of reincarnation too.
Yeah, if you want to come back as a tomato.
@@loki2240 would you eat the tomatoes?
@@submittedbymail - Not if Googly Googly Moogly was a terrible person. 😜
Science fiction authors have been referencing this method for decades. Recycling human bodies into compost is the only method that makes any sense. Burial and memorials are wasteful, silly uses of resources.
This sounds like a great option. I hope it comes to more states in the future
I love this idea. When I think of my body being broken down into its smallest components, and being used to grow new life......goosebumps! Hairs standing on my neck😀.
I thought I saw an article a few years back about folks being buried at the base of trees(whole body not cremated). The bodies would eventually breakdown and feed the tree and surrounding plants growth. Anyone else ever hear about this? I'm going to try and find the article.
This is always the way I wanted to go I don’t want nobody viewing my body beside my family and close friends one and the for everybody else just celebrate my life . No casket for me no funeral . Live your life people you don’t know how many years is behind that hyphen between the day you’re born and the day you will die .
Well done amazing yes our ancestors in aotearoa nz evan some whanau - familys now a days, bury our whanau similarities basically the same i would say minus the casket they weave- raranga this formium tenax a type of flax here into a casket all natural base balming from the sea - moana and forest- ngahere we a culture of giving back to mother earth- papatuanuku our headstones are either concrete or a small native tree i love this process it definitely benefits wow amazing
Dude people been doing this forever. It's called hiding the body.
I'd might almost feel better in a shallow grave than trapped in a box for eternity.
Let’s goooo! We’re on our way, boys and girls 😇🤗🌎
My muslim friend told me. If he died. He will be buried only with white clothes without any coffin. Then people will plant a flower tree on his grave. Almost same concept with this
Way to go Brie! So awesome to see this mainstream. Great work!
Great way to go. This should be the way of the future.
Why isn’t this legal in all states?
THIS MUST BECOME THE SOCIAL NORM AND INDUSTRY STANDARD. When we don’t feed the Earth, it will stop feeding us.
Weird leftist fantasies.
I absolutely love this. It needs to be approved in all states. This is what I want, but my family would have to travel to Oregon or Washington to do it. Caitlyn Doughty (Ask a Mortician) and someone else tried to get it approved in Cali, but Newsom was too worried about introducing new bills because of his recall. Hopefully it becomes a more accepted method of what to do with remains very soon!
Good news! it just past and will go into effect in 2027 :)
@@maddiesanabria5047 that really is good news! Thanks for the update!
See also: Recompose in Seattle, Ask A Mortician’s Caitlin Doughty, and Caitlin’s funeral care advocacy group “the Order of the Good Death”
Also in case you woke up all of a sudden from your death, you could still get out and walk away
A real son of the soil. 🌻
Half a step from soylent green. Nice Hochul.... nice
I joked with a friend about fertilising a citrus tree with her ashes but never thought it's really done O.O
I love this!!... i hope the price doesnt sky rocket! Everything that can be repurposed should
It's a great and very innovative idea. Good for the Earth and gives us options that are more appealing. Good luck ladies.
Imagine thinking your life was so important that you need to have a plot so future generations never visit you.. waste.. cemetery should be gardens and forests
I want a green burial in a green cemetery. Allow my body to decompose directly into the earth as it is meant to be and as Source and Earth intended.
This is that but no land use in perpetuity and lots of people don't have access to TRUE green burials
Looking forward to hear about Inslee and family bodies and supporters confirming this great project being soil to sustain tree and natural growth.
It's been in my will to be composted ever since it became legal here in WA. Nice to see what will happen to the atoms I'm using when I die. Still wondering about my fillings and nipple ring though.
If you haven't seen her stuff and this interests you, check out Caitlin doughty, ask a mortician!!!!! 🖤🖤🖤🖤
I like this company so much better than the one she featured. They wouldn't answer my questions at all and won't let people visit their people, but when I called here I talked to Katie and she answered everything and even invited me to visit before I could ask!
That's dope!! ✌️🖤💃
I found them on tiktok a while back and I'm hoping that by the time my time comes this is an option in my state.
If you do not do this weird balming thing and use a simple untreated wooden coffin the body will also turn into compost. It will just take a bit longer.
It sounds like a good idea. Very positive. I have to wonder though, how affordable is this?
Well in the video, they claim that it is the cheapest option out of cremation and traditional casket burials.
i read it's roughly about 5 grand, cheaper than burial and most cremations. I imagine the more ppl who start doing it the more cost might go down
If it's not legal in my state by the time I'm fated to die, I'm so gonna ship my remains over to Colorado and turn them into plant food for sure 🌺
How can you ship yourself?
I so want this!
You need a rebranding if it's gonna work out in the long run. Nobody wants to be compost. There can be better ways of addressing it. Just try.
I'm considering becoming compost.
They call it terramation on their website when I looked it up
Wish Tenn would allow this ,.
This should have been an option decades ago.
Muito legal 🌷💓
The govt will love donating bodies too this.
The government can't just donate bodies wtf
@@TenaciousBrie oh, they have a way of killing people all over the world.
Water contamination killing the poor, keep the rich!!!
We did this ages
Hi I love the idea of this, would anyone know if this can be done in the UK.
How much dose it cost?
I love this
❤
The muslims does this. All natural burial. No caskets, no embalming etc just Minus the scattering.
This is going to be legal in California soon.
geez turn that background music down 😕...i can't even hear what she's saying 😩
Totally agree! Most snnoying
Will people’s remains not accounted for be turned into fertilizer? And then potentially used for farming?
Hip hip hurray!!! I waana be an evergreen tree!
Try aquamarine, it resolves all her issues and is better for the environment...
Meant to say aquamation...oops!
it weirded me out to find out its just down the road xD
I like this.
Go to Florida way less burial law
Graveyards creeps me out. This works much better. I just don’t need to know where the soil came from and it’s composition, just say it’s soil 😅
When I die just wrap me up in a sheet and yeet me into a forest
Sign me up!
I mean its been a long tradition here to bury the dead as is without embalming or anything preserving corpse, just bathe and coat in perishable cloth before no casket burial (except for fatal incident victim which is in casket)
You actually believe that treating human and pet remains like garbage is respectful???
I don't think so.
Radlibs lv them
The question is: why don't YOU like this?
What happens when you spread ashes?
I feel that 60% number was skewed toward their cause.
Watch the accllaimed HBO series 6 Feet Under. A half decade ahead of its time
How So?
The best and fastest way to return my remains back into the earth to ensure it will be alive for all future generations is simple. Grind me up, throw some flower seeds in with it and feed me to the Lions, Tigers and bears, Oh My! In 24 hours the transformation is complete. Soon, new life will replace my DEATH!
So why be cremated?
How to combine this process with Catholic mass ritual?
What about water cremation?
Imagine being murdered and the serial killer gives you a green burial. Everyone wouldn't assume the worst and think you were just very conscious of the environment. All the while, your body and all the evidence of the crime will quickly disappear in a soon to be forgotten grave.
Fears aside, I do believe this is a great idea. I remember being very little and seeing several mummified corpses and bones piled up in a corner of a graveyard in Mexico because they had to make more room for newly deceased after the families of the older deceased stopped renting the plot they were on. I don't know how they disposed of the corpses in the end, but I just know they were removed from their above ground graves. This would stop the need of disturbing the deceased to make room for more deceased in different areas of the world.
$5K and 60 days? Just toss me in a sarlacc pit.
To be serious, I would like to look into this. I certainly don't want my remains to go to waste, and if this is cheaper than other options that's a big bonus for my family. I've never liked the idea of trying to preserve my dead body and my family wasting thousands of dollars on a carcass. Save that money for people who need it and give my dead body to organisms that need it.
@@loki2240 just feed your body to alligators, foods for animals,.you Peta brain leftist.
Music was annoying and too loud. Distracting.
Isn't that what happens when you just bury someone lol
Them prices are robbery compared to the eu and nothing about aquamation
I think that's creepy
Check out "From here to Eternity" fascinating book on burial methods from around the world
The old way of doing it.
And grow weed on that soil
Weirdo but awesome!
i wana be a tree
What kind of stupid nonsense is going on in that State.
Yeah just grow us into tree and re burn us during fire season!
Sign me up
Ah yes, when you die, who DOESN'T to become compost?
The bad is the rich who consume per burial to make garden etc around it.. the earth is so wide and spacious. Come on now