Human composting explained

Human composting is a process for the final disposition of human remains in which microbes convert a deceased body into compost. It is also called natural organic reduction (NOR) or terramation.[1]

Although the natural decomposition of human corpses into soil is a long-standing practice, a more rapid process that was developed in the early 21st century by Katrina Spade, entails encasing human corpses in wood chips, straw, and alfalfa until thermophile microbes decompose the body.[2] In this manner, the transformation can be sped up to as little as 1–2 months.[2] The accelerated process is based in part on techniques developed for the composting of livestock.[2]

Though human composting was common before modern burial practices and in some religious traditions, contemporary society has tended to favor other disposition methods. However, cultural attention to concerns like sustainability and environmentally friendly burial has led to a resurgence in interest in direct composting of human bodies.[2] Some religious and cultural communities have been critical of this modern composting practice, even though it is in many ways a return to more traditional practices. Human composting is legal in Sweden[3] and in multiple US states, and natural burials without a casket or with a biodegradable container are common practice in Muslim and Jewish traditions and are allowed in the UK, the US, and many other locations throughout the world.[4]

Reception

Proponents say human composting is more economical, environmentally friendly, and respectful of the body and the earth than the methods of disposal that are typically practiced in technologically advanced societies. Cremation uses fossil fuels or large amounts of wood for funeral pyres (both of which generate polluting smoke and release large amounts of carbon), and conventional burial is land-intensive, has a high carbon footprint, and frequently involves disposing of bodily fluids and liquefied organs in the sewer and injecting the body with toxic embalming chemicals. By contrast, human composting, like natural burial, is a natural process and contributes ecological value by preserving the body's nutrient material.[5] Some have argued that "natural organic reduction respects the human body and spirit, supports rather than sullies the earth, and works with nature rather than against it."[6]

Critics say the rapid decomposition process is inappropriate for human bodies. The Catholic Church in the United States, for example has argued that it does not confer the respect due to bodily remains,[7] [8] though other Catholics have maintained that human composting "fulfill[s] in a more direct way the Biblical declaration that we are dust and to dust we shall return (Genesis 3:19)."[9] Orthodox Jewish interpretations of Halakha religious law oppose the sped-up composting process, saying it lacks appropriate reverence for the dead, with the matter under debate in other variations of Judaism.[10] [11]

Muslim burial practices ordinarily involve natural burials without embalming or cremation. They involve prompt washing of the corpse, wrapping it in a simple plain-cloth shroud, and rapid burial without a casket, with some soil placed under the body. Jewish burial practices are very similar. If a casket is used in a Jewish burial, the casket is generally simple and made of unfinished wood, and strictly-observant practice avoids all use of metal; the wood parts of the casket are joined by wood dowels rather than nails. Caskets are not used in Israel.

Washington was the first U.S. state to allow the practice of human composting.[5] Three burial businesses in the state of Washington offer human composting .[10] [4]

Legal status

Human composting is legal in Sweden and multiple US states, and natural burials without a casket or with a biodegradable container are allowed in the UK, the US, and many other locations throughout the world.

In the United States, rapid human composting has become legally allowed or approved to become allowed in the future in seven states [10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: New York governor legalizes human composting after death. Helmore. Edward. January 1, 2023. The Guardian.
  2. Web site: How do you compost a human body – and why would you?. BBC News. Prasad. Ritu. January 30, 2019.
  3. Web site: Human composting as an alternative to burial or cremation signed into law in Washington . 2023-06-20 . Sky News . en.
  4. Web site: Tracker: Where Is Human Composting Legal In The US? . August 19, 2022. Earth. en.
  5. Web site: Kuta . Sarah . California Has Legalized Human Composting . September 9, 2022. . en.
  6. Web site: Opinion: For a More Sustainable Afterlife, Try Human Composting . . February 5, 2023 . en-US . August 18, 2022.
  7. Web site: Molina . Alejandra . July 12, 2021 . Amid Catholic opposition, states are legalizing composting of human remains . . en-US.
  8. Web site: February 28, 2020. Composting of Human Bodies: Memorandum of Opposition. New York State Catholic Conference . https://web.archive.org/web/20201203031645/https://www.nyscatholic.org/composting-of-human-bodies/. December 3, 2020 . en-US.
  9. Web site: The Catholic case to support NY's human composting bill . . February 5, 2023 . en-US . December 20, 2022.
  10. Web site: Ain . Stewart . Jewish law forbids human composting, but for some Jews it's the way to go . . January 2, 2023 . en . December 9, 2022.
  11. Web site: 'We're all going to turn to dust': Body composting a 'green' alternative to burial and cremation . . January 2, 2023 . en-AU . September 25, 2021.
  12. Web site: Washington becomes first US state to legalise human composting. BBC News. May 21, 2019.
  13. Web site: Sallinger . Marc . Body composting begins in Colorado, after state legalizes this alternative to burial or cremation . . September 24, 2022 . Lafayette . September 23, 2021.
  14. Web site: Arden . Amanda . Oregon's human composting law now in effect. Here's what could come next . . September 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220710130023/https://www.koin.com/news/oregon/oregons-human-composting-law-now-in-effect/ . July 10, 2022 . Portland . July 8, 2022 . live.
  15. Web site: Scott signs eight bills into law, vetoes environmental bill H606 . Vermont Business Magazine . September 24, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220609074603/https://vermontbiz.com/news/2022/june/02/scott-signs-eight-bills-law-vetoes-environmental-bill-h606 . June 9, 2022 . June 2, 2022 . live.
  16. News: Molina . Alejandra . September 20, 2022 . California legalizes human composting bill against opposition by Catholic bishops . . October 2, 2022.
  17. Web site: Chamings . Andrew . California just legalized 'human composting'. Not everyone is happy. . . September 19, 2022 . September 20, 2022.
  18. Web site: Maysoon . Khan . New York OKs human composting law; 6th state in US to do so . . December 31, 2022.
  19. Web site: Nevada Legalizes Human Composting! . Return Home . June 5, 2023 . 6 June 2023.