Human composting, also called natural organic reduction or soil transformation, is a form of disposition that transforms a body into soil.
Human Composting
What is tree pod burial? How does tree pod burial compare to human composting?
Tree pod burial has garnered a lot of buzz in the last few years. However, at this point it is just a concept rather than an actual and available form of death care.
What are other names for human composting?
Human composting is called natural organic reduction, soil transformation, recomposting, recomposition, terramation. Know more with Recompose.
How can I help make human composting legal in my state?
In the U.S., the laws governing human remains vary greatly from state to state. Learn more about how you can contribute towards expansion.
How can human composting soil be used?
The soil created by human composting is nourishing for trees and plants. Learn more about how Recompose customers have used the soil.
If I donate my soil to conservation efforts, how will it be used?
Our land Partners use donated soil from Recompose clients to benefit the land they steward. Learn more about the Recompose Land Program.
What is the composition of human composting soil?
The pH range of Recompose compost is usually between 6.5 and 7, which is ideal for most plants. Learn more about compost-testing regulations.
How does alkaline hydrolysis compare to human composting?
Like human composting, alkaline hydrolysis is a process for transforming a body after death. Learn more about the differences & similarities.
How does human composting compare to green burial?
Green burial is the practice of burying a body in a green burial cemetery with a casket. Learn about about green burial vs human composting.
Is cremation environmentally friendly?
Cremation uses fossil fuels, and emits carbon dioxide and toxic particulates into the atmosphere. Learn more about why human composting is more eco-friendly than cremation.
How does human composting reduce your carbon footprint?
Human composting saves carbon as it uses less energy than cremation. Learn more about the positive environmental impact of human composting.
How does a human composting vessel work?
At Recompose, the human composting takes place in a vessel. Learn more about the steel cylinder and the process of composting.
Is there anyone who isn’t eligible for human composting?
Three rare diseases disqualify a body from composting: Ebola, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, active tuberculosis. Learn more about eligibility.
Can you be an organ donor and still choose human composting?
Yes, you can donate your organs and choose human composting. Learn more about the process of human composting.
What happens to artificial limbs or tooth fillings during human composting?
Non-organics like metal fillings, prostheses, and artificial joints are recycled if possible. Learn more about human composting.
What happens to drugs and medicine during human composting?
Human composting eliminates disease pathogens and parasites. Learn more about the sustained heat that removes toxins from the body.
What happens to diseases during human composting?
Human composting eliminates diseases. Learn more about how the heat during the process ensures the soil created is free of harmful pathogens.
How long does human composting take?
The human composting process generally takes between eight to twelve weeks. Learn more about human composting.
How does human composting work?
Human composting is the transformation of a human body into soil. Learn more about the process followed at Recompose.
Where is human composting legal?
Human composting is now legal in more than a dozen states. Learn more about the legalization of human composting.
How much soil is created by human composting?
Human composting creates one cubic yard of soil per body which weights around 1000 pounds. Learn more about the process of human composting.
Why is human composting more eco-friendly than burial or cremation?
Human composting is environment-friendly because the process does not use fossil fuel like cremation. Learn more about ecological death care.
What happens to bones and teeth during human composting?
Bones and teeth do not fully break down in the human composting process due to the mineral composition. Learn about how they are broken down.