Washington became the first state to legalize the production of compost from human remains. This is the alternative to traditional burial and cremation, which will provide fertile soil for gardening.
On Tuesday, the Governor of Washington Jay Margie reiger signed a bill authorizing a technology described by activists as environmentally beneficial. Supporters of the technology estimate that the procedure will reduce carbon emissions by about a ton on every body.
The law should enter into force on 1 may 2020. Probably by this time in Seattle will be the first funeral home to offer this service. A company called Recompose to place the body in a steel vessel with wood chips and alfalfa and straw, allowing the microbes to transform the bodies into the soil in about a month. The procedure will cost about $5500, that is, more than a simple cremation, but less than burial.
Katrina spade, chief Executive officer, the company said it hopes to open a branch in Seattle by the end of next year. «This is the first place we know in a world where people will be offered a choice,» she said.
The bill, which approves the use of such technology was accepted by the majority of representatives of both parties. But the Catholic Church spoke out against the procedure, noting that composting is not expressing sufficient respect for the deceased.
The funeral industry of Washington are divided about this practice, but history shows that a funeral home can affect her point of view. A funeral home is traditionally opposed cremation, but the technology of turning bodies into ashes began to gain popularity in the 60 years and now has approximately half of the cases of farewell to the deceased.
Washington has the highest in the country, the level of cremation of bodies (78%). The state is characterized by strong ethical principles and the low participation in institutionalized religion, and it is those factors which are favorable for the spread of the practice of creating compost from people’s bodies.
Inslee spokeswoman Jaime Smith said that while the Governor’s office is still reviewing the bill, “this seems like a thoughtful effort to soften our footprint” on the Earth. @GovInslee we think so, too. https://t.co/dYuE1YD5bx pic.twitter.com/kIkgM13rwI
— Katrina Spade (@recomposelife) April 22, 2019
The law, signed Margie reiger, also gives the nod to a process called alkaline hydrolysis, in which the body grimiruyutsya did not fire, and in water and alkali. It’s already legalized in some States. Alkaline hydrolysis and composting differ from «green» burials, in which bodies buried without embalming or installation of tombstones, sometimes in biodegradable coffins.
Composting the human body produces fertile soil that can be used for growing trees, flowers and even vegetables.
