Beyond Burial and Cremation: What New Options are Available for Handling Remains?

While traditional burial practices involve embalming fluids that pollute ground water, or cremation, which involves the emission of thousands of tons of carbon gases annually, recomposition and aquamation are two environmentally responsible alternatives that cause less pollution.

Recomposition (aka, "natural organic reduction" or "human composting"), converts human remains into soil over the course of several days. Recompose, in Kent, WA, and Herland Forest Natural Burial Cemetery, located in Klickitat County, started offering their natural organic reduction services in 2020. For more information about Recompose's services, please visit their website at: https://recompose.life/ and for more information about Herland Forest's services, please visit their website: http://www.herlandforest.org/human-composting/.

Aquamation (aka, "alkaline hydrolysis" or "water cremation"), on the other hand, is a process that uses water, heat, pressure, and alkaline chemicals to accelerate the decomposition process of human remains in a matter of hours. The bones that remain after the aquamation process are then turned into ash. This process uses a fraction of the energy traditional cremation does. A google.com search for "human aquamation near me" will provide the names of local funeral homes who offer water-cremation services. Additionally, if you are looking for a eco-conscious way to honor a beloved cat, dog, or snake, aquamation services are available for pets of all sizes at Resting Waters in West Seattle: https://restingwaters.com/.

More information and other resources can be found through People’s Memorial Association, a non-profit funeral education and advocacy organization. Learn more at their website: https://peoplesmemorial.org/resources/green_options.html.

Whichever option you choose, please remember to communicate your wishes to your family and Agents. If Rehberg Law Group has assisted you with your estate plan, your Estate Planning notebook contains a section titled “Burial and Funeral Instructions” which has forms available for you to note your requests and wishes. It is suggested you review this information, along with your estate planning documents, every four to six years.

If you have questions or would like to update your estate planning documents, please call Rehberg Law Group at (206) 246-8772 to schedule an appointment.