Arizona is on the verge of giving its residents an alternative post-mortem option that's more eco-friendly than traditional burials and cremations. Dubbed by some as "Grandpa in the Garden," a proposed bill could legalize human composting in the Grand Canyon state.
State Representative Laurin Hendrix is spearheading the charge with HB2081, which, if passed, would amend Arizona's funeral services law to include human composting — a method of turning human remains into soil. In a statement obtained by 12 News, Hendrix remarked, “I’m just trying to make it an option in Arizona. It’s been done for quite some time; it just hasn’t been legal in Arizona.”
While the concept might unsettle some, the process converts human remains into nutrient-rich soil within 30 to 60 days, allowing families the choice of planting flora or even a tree as a living memorial. This process is currently permissible in seven states, and according to Green Matters, Katrina Spade, CEO of Recompose and pioneer of the modern human composting process, supports the move, especially given the growing need for sustainable options.
“I’m not really advocating for it or against it, I’m just creating the option," Hendrix told 12 News. "If an individual says this is for them, that’s great. If they say, ‘Hey that’s not for me,’ that’s great too." The sentiment echoes a growing awareness of personal choice and the environmental impact of death care, a sentiment bolstered by Spade. In an exclusive interview with Green Matters, Spade shared, “Personally, the fact that human composting exists makes it easier for me to contemplate my own mortality. I'm comforted by the idea that, after I die, I'll be able to return to nature.”
The potential cost-savings compared to conventional burial practices, as well as the environmental benefits, align with the public's increasing interest in green funeral options. Cremation, while popular, releases significant carbon emissions, and traditional burials utilize substantial quantities of resources and potentially harmful chemicals. Recompose has been serving Arizonians willing to transport their loved ones to Seattle, evidencing an existing demand for such services closer to home.
As Arizona legislators deliberate the bill, the community awaits an option that could fundamentally change the way its citizens handle one of life's most inevitable events.
