Human Body Composting As Deathcare Is Now A Legal Option For Some
For those in Washington state burial and cremation are not the only legal options for deathcare. Legal residents of Washington will now be able to choose to have their bodies turned into soil by opting for a new eco-friendly deathcare option known as human body composting. The state’s governor, Jay Inslee, signed the legislation into law last week that allows the process of “aboveground decomposition.” This legislation makes Washington the first state in the US, and maybe the first place in the world, to legalize this type of process.
This new legislation will allow bodies to be placed in a container, along with other organic material. These materials will be items that can help speed up the decomposition process, such as wood chips or straw. It is noted that any farmers use a similar type of process when they are composting bodies of livestock. This new process for handling the bodies of our loved ones seems to be a rather safe and eco-friendly way to deal with a growing problem, how to have an affordable and environmentally friendly way to take care of our dead loved ones.
Human body composting is more environmentally friendly than cremating a body. Currently, cremation is the most popular option when deciding on funeral services. However, cremation may not be as environmentally friendly as one would hope. Yes, it may be a better eco-friendly option when compared to the traditional burial process because cuts down on the amount of materials and chemicals going into the earth, and it saves on space. But, is it as good as it can get? For many, the amount of fuel used and the greenhouse gases this process gives off can be a huge downside.
The Seattle-based company Recompose cannot wait to give people the chance to use this new eco-friendly process when handling their loved one’s final wishes. Their founder, Katrina Spade, stated that once a body is turned into soil, this soul could be given to the family of the deceased. And they can then turn around and use this soil in their very own garden or to help grow a tree in their loved one’s memory. It is similar to the spreading of ashes, but you can grow something to help you remember your loved one forever.
Many people who stand behind this process like to point out that it is attractive for mainly two reasons. One of these reasons happens to be the financial impact a funeral can have on those left behind, and the other is ecological reasons. Human body composting does not require a casket or other materials to be driven into the earth, there are no embalming chemicals involved, and it does not use up any of the fossil fuels required for cremation. It is a win-win for all involved. This new legislation will not take effect until May 2020, and many cannot wait to see what doors it could open in the funeral industry.