The Best Ever Episode of Science Vs

Process

Katrina Spade explains the concept of human composting, likening it to composting farm animals. She initially envisioned a large collective composter but shifted to individual vessels for sentimental reasons. Micah Truman describes the facility, highlighting the polycarbonate vessels and the process of turning bodies into soil within a few months 1 2.

If you're saying, like, we're going to make a giant building where you put all the bodies together, it starts to sound kind of scary. That's gross. No, but if you're like, you, when you die, you will be laid to rest in this one vessel. Consider it a hotel for the dead. It's just for you. And your body will stay there for about 30 days with us, and then you'll be soil.

--- Katrina Spade

The facility uses a mix of alfalfa, straw, and wood chips to aid the composting process 1.

   

Science

The science behind human composting relies on microbes that thrive in heat, moisture, and oxygen. Katrina Spade and Micah Truman explain that these microbes break down organic material, turning bodies into soil 3. The process can reach temperatures high enough to kill many pathogens, making the resulting compost safe 4.

The microbes come from the air, and they're on us right now as we speak, and they're on the dead people.

--- Katrina Spade

However, some pathogens, like those causing tuberculosis, can survive, necessitating regulations on composting certain bodies 5.

   

Legalization

Legalizing human composting was a significant challenge. Katrina Spade faced legal hurdles but successfully lobbied for change, leading to the legalization of human composting in Washington in 2019 6. This movement is part of a broader push for environmentally friendly death practices, known as the green death movement 7.

The day that the governor signed the bill, I had my kids in little suits. I was in a suit. My girlfriend was there with me. And we're standing like, you get your official picture with the governor as he is signing the bill. And we're just like, grinning. Like, the picture is, like, all of us are just, like, beaming.

--- Katrina Spade

Other states are now considering similar legislation, making this a growing trend in eco-friendly burials 6.

   

Experiences

Personal stories highlight the emotional impact of human composting. Micah Truman shares how families interact with the composting process, often adding personal touches like favorite items of the deceased 8. Wendy Zukerman and Blythe Terrell visit a restoration site using human compost, marveling at the life it fosters 9.

I saw one guy take his mother's soil, and I saw him, he took the bag, and he put it in the front seat. And then I saw him put the seatbelt on it.

--- Micah Truman

These experiences underscore the profound connection people feel to the composting process and its results 8.