Howard Fischer, a 63-year-old investor living upstate New York City, has a wish when he dies: he wants his remains placed in a container, decomposed by microbes, and made into nutritious, fertile soil.
Perhaps his composted remains can be used outside the family home in Vermont or they can be brought back to earth elsewhere. “What my family decides to do with the compost when it’s ready is up to them,” Fischer told the Associated Press.
“I am committed to having my body composted and my family knows it”, added. “But I wish it happened in New York, where I live, instead of sending me across the country.”
The authorization of human composting in New York
Governor Kathy Hochul passed legislation on Saturday to legalize natural organic decay, popularly known as human composting, making New York the sixth state in the country to allow such a burial method.
Washington state was the first to legalize human composting in 2019. Colorado and Oregon followed in 2021 and Vermont and California in 2022.
For Fischer, this alternative, the ecological method of burial, aligns with his philosophical vision of life: to live in an ecologically conscious way.
How to compost human remains
The process goes like this: the body of the deceased is placed in a reusable container along with plant material, such as wood chips, alfalfa, and straw.
The organic blend creates the perfect habitat for microbes to do their job, breaking down the body quickly and efficiently in about a month.
The end result is almost a cubic meter of potting soil, the equivalent of about 36 bags of potting soil.which can be used to plant trees or enrich land, forest or protected garden.
Criticisms of human composting: the Catholic Church
The New York State Catholic Conference, a group representing bishops in the state, He has long opposed the new law, saying the burial method is “inappropriate”.
A process that’s perfectly appropriate for returning pieces of vegetables to the ground isn’t necessarily appropriate for human bodies, said Dennis Post, executive director of the organization.
“Human bodies are not household waste and we don’t believe the process meets the standards of respectful treatment of our earthly remains.Message added.
What is a “compost”
Compost is a fertilizer which is produced by the combined decomposition of organic raw materials, i.e. waste of plant and animal origin. The result is an earth-like substance that improves both soil quality such as the absorption of water and other nutrients.
Frequently used in agricultural activity as a fertilizer for crops, Compost is also an interesting ecological option to promote the growth and quality of garden or vegetable plants.. It can be done indoors or in large spaces.
Source/AP Agency
Source: Clarin
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.