How does a human composting vessel work?

At Recompose, the human composting takes place in a device we call a vessel. It is a steel cylinder, 8 feet long and 4 feet tall. Each vessel rests inside of a hexagonal frame.

Each body is placed into the vessel on a bed of wood chips, alfalfa, and straw. Additional plant material is added as a blanket to cocoon the body within the vessel. The temperature inside the vessel rises over time as the microbes work, and is sustained over 131 degrees Fahrenheit for a minimum of 3 continuous days.

Over the next five to seven weeks, the body breaks down thanks to the natural action of aerobic microbes. Recompose staff monitor the temperature inside the vessel to determine when a rotation is needed to increase oxygenation and expose additional energy to the microbes. Once the microbes have finished their work, the soil is removed from the vessel and placed into a curing bin, where it is aerated for three to five weeks.

Below is a photo of a Recompose vessel and cradle.