Washington passes bill to become first state to compost human bodies

“We’re making about a cubic yard of soil per person,” the founder of the company Recompose said.

Finished materials from the human-body composting process. (Washington State University)

By Ben Guarino

April 26, 2019

https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2019/04/26/washington-passes-bill-become-first-state-compost-human-bodies/

 

“It may soon be legal for the dead to push daisies, or any other flower, in backyard gardens across Washington state. The state legislature recently passed a bill that, if signed by the governor, allows human bodies to be composted — and used for mulch.”

“I have a few friends at some of the assisted-living facilities here in Seattle,” Spade said, “and these folks are in their mid-80s saying: ‘Look, we want these options. … We care about the last gesture we leave on this earth.’ ”