Green-Wood Cemetery's Groundbreaking Plan to Compost Corpses Could Revolutionize Death Care in Brooklyn
In a bold move to reduce the environmental impact of death care, Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn is set to become the first cemetery on the East Coast to offer composting corpses as an alternative to traditional burials or cremations. Starting in 2027, the historic graveyard will partner with German-based funeral company Meine Erde to provide a sustainable option for those looking to leave their mark – literally.
The process involves placing an unembalmed body in a high-tech casket that controls humidity and ventilation while also rocking back and forth to accelerate decomposition. The casket is then filled with organic materials such as clover, wood chips, straw, and alfalfa, which break down the body over time. After 40 days, the entire pile turns into a 200-gallon batch of fertile soil that can be used for tree planting or added to the cemetery grounds.
"We've gone back to earth," said Meera Joshi, Green-Wood Cemetery President. "We've gone back to where we came long ago." The idea behind terramation is to mirror the natural process of a tree decomposing over time, with minimal environmental impact. However, it's not without controversy – New York state law requires that composted human remains remain on cemetery grounds and cannot be removed.
The cost of this service has yet to be announced, but similar options in California and Washington state range from $5,000 to $7,000, which is significantly cheaper than traditional burials at Green-Wood. The new option is seen as a way for the cemetery to expand its services while also addressing the environmental concerns associated with current death care practices.
Conventional burials and cremations have been criticized for their adverse environmental impacts – including air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil contamination. Terramation offers a more eco-friendly alternative, but it's unclear whether this new option will be enough to alleviate the pressure on cemeteries like Green-Wood.
As Joshi noted, "Everybody wants to be and stay in New York City, and that includes when you lose your loved one so that you can visit them and have a sense of community because it's got your family history." The introduction of composting corpses could potentially provide more space for burials at Green-Wood, which is facing capacity issues.
While this new option may not be for everyone, it's clear that death care is evolving to address the environmental concerns of the 21st century. As one can only speculate, only time will tell if terramation will revolutionize the way we die and remember those who came before us.
In a bold move to reduce the environmental impact of death care, Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn is set to become the first cemetery on the East Coast to offer composting corpses as an alternative to traditional burials or cremations. Starting in 2027, the historic graveyard will partner with German-based funeral company Meine Erde to provide a sustainable option for those looking to leave their mark – literally.
The process involves placing an unembalmed body in a high-tech casket that controls humidity and ventilation while also rocking back and forth to accelerate decomposition. The casket is then filled with organic materials such as clover, wood chips, straw, and alfalfa, which break down the body over time. After 40 days, the entire pile turns into a 200-gallon batch of fertile soil that can be used for tree planting or added to the cemetery grounds.
"We've gone back to earth," said Meera Joshi, Green-Wood Cemetery President. "We've gone back to where we came long ago." The idea behind terramation is to mirror the natural process of a tree decomposing over time, with minimal environmental impact. However, it's not without controversy – New York state law requires that composted human remains remain on cemetery grounds and cannot be removed.
The cost of this service has yet to be announced, but similar options in California and Washington state range from $5,000 to $7,000, which is significantly cheaper than traditional burials at Green-Wood. The new option is seen as a way for the cemetery to expand its services while also addressing the environmental concerns associated with current death care practices.
Conventional burials and cremations have been criticized for their adverse environmental impacts – including air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil contamination. Terramation offers a more eco-friendly alternative, but it's unclear whether this new option will be enough to alleviate the pressure on cemeteries like Green-Wood.
As Joshi noted, "Everybody wants to be and stay in New York City, and that includes when you lose your loved one so that you can visit them and have a sense of community because it's got your family history." The introduction of composting corpses could potentially provide more space for burials at Green-Wood, which is facing capacity issues.
While this new option may not be for everyone, it's clear that death care is evolving to address the environmental concerns of the 21st century. As one can only speculate, only time will tell if terramation will revolutionize the way we die and remember those who came before us.
... I mean, think about it - we're finally tackling the environmental issues associated with death care in a major way. It's not perfect, but it's a step in the right direction, and who knows, maybe one day we'll be able to just, like, send our loved ones off into space 
. But seriously, the fact that Green-Wood Cemetery is taking the lead on this stuff shows that the industry is finally starting to listen to its critics. And hey, if it saves some trees and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, then I'm all for it 
. Just imagine being able to plant a tree in your own backyard, made from the ashes of a loved one... it's a weirdly beautiful thought 
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I think this is a game-changer for Brooklyn's death care scene - who wouldn't want to leave their loved one in a sustainable & eco-friendly way? The process sounds pretty cool, like a natural, mini-ecosystem forming from the body. But $5k-$7k is still pretty steep for many people... maybe it'll be worth it if it means reducing our carbon footprint even more. Can't wait to see how this plays out in 2027! 
. Think about it, we're living in a world where climate change is getting more and more real, and traditional burials are basically contributing to that problem. But if this terramation thing works out, maybe it'll be a way to make death care more sustainable 
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. $5,000 to $7,000 seems steep for something that's supposed to help the environment. I'm not saying it's gonna change my funeral plans or anything, but if it means reducing our carbon footprint, then I'm all for it 
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. But seriously, it's a step in the right direction, and if more cemeteries start offering this option, maybe we'll see some real change in the way we die and remember our loved ones 
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The fact that Green-Wood Cemetery is taking the lead on this is just awesome - it shows that we're capable of innovating and making a positive impact. Sure, there are some logistical challenges ahead, but I think this is a game-changer for death care 
. But seriously, it's making me think about how we're trying to fix our mistakes by creating new ones. I mean, we've got air pollution from cremations, greenhouse gas emissions from traditional burials... and now we're just recycling bodies into soil? It's a bit like putting lipstick on a pig 
, you know?
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. The idea of creating fertile soil that can be used for tree planting or added to the cemetery grounds is genius... and it's not just about being eco-friendly, but also about keeping things true to nature. I mean, who doesn't want to come back to earth, right? 
. But hey, if it means we can reduce our environmental impact and make things more eco-friendly, then I'm all for it! 
. It's like, death care is evolving or whatever, and if that means trying new things and being more sustainable, then okay, cool with me 
. I mean, our planet is already dealing with so many problems - climate change, pollution, etc... It's amazing that someone like Meera Joshi is trying to find ways to make death care more sustainable 
. Just think about all the space we can free up in cemeteries and parks for actual trees and plants 
. Of course, there are pros and cons to everything, but it's definitely a step in the right direction 
. Can't wait to see how this whole terramation thing plays out 
. My grandma is buried at Green-Wood and I dont know what Ill do if they start charging us like $5k for her to turn into dirt 
. But I guess its a step in the right direction, even if its a little morbid 
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. And what about all those organic materials? Are they sourced sustainably? How do you even test for contamination? Those are just a few things that keep me up at night 
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. It's like they say - every little bit counts, right? And if it means more people can visit their loved ones and feel connected to the community, then I'm all for it 
. Still, I gotta wonder... what's next? Composting pets? 
. Composting corpses could be a game-changer for environmentally-conscious people 
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. I'm all for reducing our environmental footprint and stuff, but do we really need to decompose people in a casket? It's like, what's next? Composting toilets on top of that? 
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