United States: Human Remains Now Being Turned Into Soil Used for Farming

In the United States, burial traditions are evolving beyond traditional burials and cremations, a new eco-friendly practice is gaining traction: transforming human remains into fertile soil that can be used for planting.

So far, 14 U.S. states have legalized this method, known as natural organic reduction, which takes between 60 and 90 days for a human body to fully decompose into usable soil.

Briena Smith, operations manager at Return Home, a company specializing in green funerary practices, explained that the process mirrors nature’s own cycle of decomposition.

“We’ve studied how natural decomposition works. It typically takes between 60 and 90 days for a body with flesh and bone to break down completely,” she said.

After death, the body is carefully washed, dressed in biodegradable clothing, and placed in a vessel filled with organic materials such as wood chips, alfalfa, and straw ingredients that promote natural decomposition.

“We place all these materials at the base, then lay the body on top and cover it with more of the same materials,” Smith explained. “This ensures that the person is surrounded in a natural environment that allows the body to decompose evenly.”

The vessel is kept at around 55°C (131°F) for 72 hours to eliminate harmful pathogens. Once decomposition is complete, the contents now rich, dark soil are filtered to remove any remaining bone fragments or artificial materials.

After about three months, families receive the soil, which can be used to plant gardens, trees, or flowers in memory of their loved ones.

Smith emphasized that this method not only protects the environment but also provides families with a meaningful, living way to remember those they’ve lost.

“This soil gives families a way to stay connected they can grow something beautiful from the life that once was.”