Human composting
Human composting is a funeral process in which microbes convert a human corpse to soil conditioner. It is also called natural organic reduction (NOR) or terramation[1].
The process entails encasing human corpses in wood chips, straw, and alfafa until thermophile microbes decompose the body[2]. The transformation takes six to eight weeks.
Proponents say human composting is more economical and environmentally friendly than traditional methods of disposal of human corpses. Cremation uses fossil fuels and burial is land intensive and has a carbon footprint. By contrast, human composting is a natural process and creates fertilizer.[3]
Critics say the process is inappropriate for human bodies. The Catholic Church for example has argued that it does not confer the respect due to bodily remains.[4][5] Orthodox Jewish interpretations of Halakha religious law similarly oppose the process on the basis it lacks appropriate reverence for the dead, with the matter under debate in other branches of Judaism.[6][7]
Katrina Spade, founder of the Urban Death Project, has promoted the idea of human composting and studied methods for the process. Since 2017 the Urban Death Project has operated out of the U.S. state of Washington under the name Recompose.[8]
In the United States, human composting is legally allowed in six states: Washington,[9] Colorado,[10] Vermont (from 1 January 2023),[11] Oregon,[12] California (in 2027),[13][14] and New York.[15]
References
- ^ Helmore, Edward (January 1, 2023). "New York governor legalizes human composting after death". The Guardian.
- ^ Prasad, Ritu (30 January 2019). "How do you compost a human body – and why would you?". BBC News.
- ^ Magazine, Smithsonian; Kuta, Sarah. "California Has Legalized Human Composting". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2022-09-29.
- ^ Molina, Alejandra (12 July 2021). "Amid Catholic opposition, states are legalizing composting of human remains". Religion News Service.
- ^ "Composting of Human Bodies: Memorandum of Opposition". New York State Catholic Conference. 28 February 2020. Archived from the original on 3 December 2020.
- ^ Ain, Stewart (9 December 2022). "Jewish law forbids human composting, but for some Jews it's the way to go". The Forward. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
- ^ "'We're all going to turn to dust': Body composting a 'green' alternative to burial and cremation". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
- ^ Kiley, Brendan (March 3, 2013). "The Architect Who Wants to Redesign Being Dead". The Stranger. Seattle, WA.
- ^ "Washington becomes first US state to legalise human composting". BBC News. 21 May 2019.
- ^ Sallinger, Marc (23 September 2021). "Body composting begins in Colorado, after state legalizes this alternative to burial or cremation". Lafayette: KUSA. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Scott signs eight bills into law, vetoes environmental bill H606". Vermont Business Magazine. 2 June 2022. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
- ^ Arden, Amanda (8 July 2022). "Oregon's human composting law now in effect. Here's what could come next". Portland: KOIN. Archived from the original on 10 July 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
- ^ Chamings, Andrew. "California just legalized 'human composting.' Not everyone is happy". SFGATE.com. Hearst. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- ^ Team Earth (19 August 2022). "Tracker: Where Is Human Composting Legal In The US? - Earth". Earth.
- ^ Maysoon, Khan (1 January 2023). "New York OKs human composting law; 6th state in US to do so". AP News. The Associated Press.