The state NY, in the United States, has approved what is known as human composting, which will allow anyone in that region to choose to have their body become earth after they die. This alternative is considered more environmentally friendly than a traditional burial or cremation.
Permission was granted by the governor Kathy Hochulthe one on 31 signed the law legalizing natural organic degradationThis makes New York the sixth state in this country to allow such a burial method. Washington was the first to legalize it in 2019. It followed Colorado Y Oregon in 2021 and Vermont Y California in 2022.
The body of the deceased is enclosed in a container with wood shavings, alfalfa and straw for several weeks. It is left to decompose. Photo: @recomposelife/Instagram
The practice begins with the body of the deceased remaining enclosed for several weeks in a container in which wood shavings, alfalfa, and straw are placed. It is allowed to gradually decompose under the action of microbes. After a month in this state and after a heating process to eliminate possible infection, the resulting earth is given to the relatives of the deceased.
This compost, which can be used to plant flowers, vegetables or trees, yields the equivalent of about 36 bags of soil. For US company reassemblethe service can save a ton of carbon compared to a traditional cremation or funeral.
After a month of composting, the relatives of the deceased receive the resulting soil. Photo: @recomposelife/Instagram
At his expense, the company reassemblewhose factory is located in Seattle, notes that its $7,000 fee is “comparable” to the other options. In 2021, the median price for a funeral with burial was estimated $7,848 or $6,971 for a funeral with cremation acc National Association of Funeral Directors (NFDA).
For advocates of human composting, this method would not only be more environmentally friendly, since traditional single-coffin burials also use up wood, soil, and other natural resources, but also more practical in cities where cemeteries space is limited.
On the other hand, his critics have emerged, such as Catholic Conference of New York, a group representing bishops in that state who have long opposed the new law, and said the method of burial was “inappropriate”.