How to Talk to Friends & Family About Human Composting

The template below is designed to help you start a meaningful conversation with people in your life. Optional prompts are included throughout to help you personalize the letter for the person you’re writing to and reflect your own wishes.

Letter Template

Dear Name,

I’m writing to you about something important that I’d like to share. I respect and value you, and I trust you to respect my choices as well.

Personalize: Include why you value this person. Naming your connection can remind you why they matter to you and help them understand why you’re sharing your end-of-life wishes with them.

This letter touches on topics that can be challenging, including death. If now isn’t the right time to read it, please feel free to pause and return when you’re ready.

I want to talk with you about my end-of-life wishes. I know this may come as a surprise—it’s natural to avoid thinking too much about death. But while these conversations can be difficult, making decisions about my death has also felt empowering. Planning ahead allows me to ease the burden on my friends and family, and it gives me peace of mind knowing my death care will reflect how I’ve lived my life.

Personalize: Share why you’re making end-of-life plans now and why it matters to you that these wishes are honored.

I’ve chosen a company called Recompose to handle my death care. When I die, Recompose will steward my body through human composting, a process that transforms human remains into soil. I’ve chosen this option because it is good for the planet and meaningful to me. 

Personalize: Explain why you chose Recompose, what this choice means to you, and why the idea of becoming soil brings you comfort or peace.

I’ve designated a legal agent who will work with Recompose to follow my end-of-life wishes with respect and care. 

Personalize: If relevant, include details about whether you are a Precompose member or have made arrangements to pay in advance for the service.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for honoring my wishes.

Personalize: You may choose to invite questions or feedback, or simply let them know you’re available to talk. It’s also okay to set boundaries and not invite discussion.

Sincerely,
Your Name 

Additional Explanations

If you think the person you’re writing to may need more context or reassurance, you may want to include one or more of the sections below.

• If they are skeptical about this process
  I understand that this may feel unfamiliar. Recompose is a reputable, licensed funeral home that has served hundreds of families. If you’d like to learn more about the process or see the facility, Recompose offers both virtual and in-person tours in Seattle. Learn more here.

• If they are concerned about the cost
  The Recompose price is comparable to many other death care options. I’ve made arrangements for the expense to be covered, either through prepayment or as part of my estate.
• If they feel this process isn’t respectful
  This choice reflects my values and how I want to be cared for after death. The environmental benefits and the opportunity to return to and nourish the earth make this a deeply respectful option for me. While I understand it may not align with your beliefs, I ask that you respect that it is the choice that feels right to me.

• If they feel this process is not in alignment with their religion
  I respect the death care practices of your (or our) faith. I ask that you also respect that I’ve determined this process aligns with my own beliefs and wishes. I’m open to talking more about why this choice feels spiritually meaningful to me.