Natural Organic Reduction Funeral

Death is a path we all must take. It is a momentous occasion when natural life separates into the great unknown.

Some want their natural remains to become part of the ground they once walked. Natural Organic Reduction (NOR), or human composting, is now an option for those seeking to become a gift to mother earth.

Natural organic reduction is a green alternative to traditional burial. Its an increasing popular option as more people become conscious of the environmental impact of traditional funeral practices. So it is both environmentally friendly and conceptually appealing. From the excess CO2 emissions from cremation to the soil pollution caused by traditional burials, current practices are unsustainable and lack a connection with earth.

What Is Natural Organic Reduction?

Natural organic reduction is a process that gently transforms a body into nutrient-rich soil. Some of the soil is returned to the family with the rest used for conservation purposes to serve the environment.

The soil becomes a means to return nutrients from our bodies to the natural world. In turn, it can be used to restore forests, sequester carbon, and revitalize ecosystems.

Also known as soil transformation, terramation, or human composting.

How Long Does Natural Organic Reduction Take?

Natural organic reduction’s accelerated natural process is possible through the optimizing of conditions for natural microbes and beneficial bacteria. The process typically takes about 30-60 days. When its done, a few cubic-yards of healthy, nutrient-rich soil is the only thing left.

How Does Natural Organic Reduction Work?

During the natural organic reduction process, the body is placed in a specially design reduction chamber. This components optimize and recreate conditions that are found in the natural world.

The vessel carefully balances oxygen, carbon, nitrogen and water, as well as maintains optimal temperature and moisture. Naturally occurring microbes and beneficial bacteria then transform the body. Wildflowers, woodchip, mulch and other organic materials are added to provide the right balance of nitrogen and carbon.

Natural organic reduction is carried out in a reduction facility designed for this specific service. Earth provides its service from state-of-the-art facilities, which form a serene and tranquil environment for soil transformation.

Is Natural Organic Reduction Good For The Environment?

Natural organic reduction is carbon neutral and the healthy soil output can be used for conservation purposes. It is therefore a non-invasive process, avoiding environmental harm and having an actively positive effect.

The process returns the body to the natural world in the form of healthy soil. Soil is important for a healthy ecosystem: healthy soil filters water, provides nutrients to wildlife, and helps regulate global temperatures.

Comparing Natural Organic Reduction & Traditional Burial

In both natural organic reduction and traditional burial the body is returned to the ground after death. The two processes share little else in common, with natural organic reduction a far friendlier practice for the environment. 

Traditional burials take alot of resources, and contribute to a consumption of urban land at an unsustainable rate.

Natural organic reduction can have a positive impact on soil health. In contrast, traditional burials can pollute the soil with chemical preservatives and paint. Vast quantities of metals, woods and concrete are buried in the earth in the form of caskets. In the US alone, more than 4,000,000 gallons of embalming fluid are buried each year!

Comparing Natural Organic Reduction & Cremation

Natural organic reduction and cremation have more in common conceptually, with both processes transforming the body. While cremation involves incineration of a body into ash, natural organic reduction transforms a body into healthy soil.

From an environmental perspective, natural organic reduction is again the better option. Cremation relies on fuels and intense heat, therefore emits high levels of carbon dioxide and contributes to global warming. A single cremation produces approximately 535 lbs of CO2. To put this into perspective, this is the amount produced by a 609-mile car journey.

Natural Organic Reduction: The Green Funeral Choice

Natural organic reduction is the choice for nature lovers, conservationists, and anybody that wishes to protect the planet for future generations.

Learn more about transformation services, get a quote for immediate, or future needs here or here.

Washington became the first state in the United States to legalize human composting in 2019, followed by Colorado and Oregon in 2021. Vermont legalized the practice in June and California in September 2022.