Human composting: It’s a thing

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – You recycle, eat organic, and drive a hybrid; sure, you live a “green” life, but are you worried about having an environmentally-friendly death?

Green burials could become a trend, if human composting catches on — and it is an option at least being considered as some cemeteries become more cramped and plan for the future.

It only takes a few weeks for a human body to fully compost; it conserves energy and materials, all-natural, and doesn’t use toxic embalming chemicals or create cremation emissions. But even on the uber-eco-friendly West Coast, there seem to be few people willing to be future fertilizer.

“It’s certainly very green but no, I think I’ll go the cremation route,” says Jason, who prefers to be sprinkled rather than turned into top soil. “Yeah, I don’t want to rot. And I don’t want to rot in a heap with a bunch of other people.”

Simon wonders how we could be running out of space for dead people.

“Canada is a vast place. It’s huge! How are we running out space in cemeteries? That’s amazing,” he tells News1130. “It’s scary; stay away from that stuff. It’s enough we compost food scraps. Not humans.”

But as you shuffle off your mortal coil, think of the fertile remains left for your loved ones — perfect for growing really big zucchinis.

Burialicious.

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