In a historic first, Green Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn has become the first cemetery in New York to offer human composting. This is great news, and we hope more cemeteries in the tri-state area and everywhere will do this! Human composting is the most natural after death option, with the body being buried without a casket, and instead in a biodegradable vessel. It then allows the body to decompose close to how it would naturally.
It’s one of the most sustainable burial options for a few reasons. First, it doesn’t use a lot of energy the way something like traditional cremation does. It also reintegrates the body into the soil, allowing that same soil to be used again for another burial. This fixes a huge problem cemeteries are facing where they are running out of land for burials. It is expected to become available starting in 2027. They are partnering with a German company called Meine Erde to be able to provide the service.
This is a big win for New Jersey funeral consumers because while New Jersey has legalized the practice, it is currently not available in any New Jersey cemeteries. The same is true for other nearby states like Pennsylvania.
Green Wood Cemetery is located in the Greenwood Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. From New York Penn Station or the 33rd St. PATH station, it is accessible via the D and N trains from the 34th St. Herald Square station to the 36th St station. From the World Trade Center PATH station, it is accessible via the R train from the Cortlandt St. Station to the 36th St. station. From Port Authority Bus Terminal, it is accessible via the D train from the Port Authority Station to the 36th St. station. If you are driving, it is accessible from I-278 East and Exit 23.
We’ll continue to post updates on human composting and more information is available here from Brooklyn News 12, including a video interview with the cemetery manager:
Human Composting FAQ (Blog Only)
What is human composting?
Human composting is an alternative burial method to traditional burial, green burial, and cremation. is the most natural after death option, with the body being buried without a casket, and instead in a biodegradable bag. It then allows the body to decompose close to how it would naturally.
What’s the difference between human composting and green burial?
Green burial stores the body in a biodegradable casket, while human composting drops the casket completely and stores the body in a biodegradable vessel.
Are there eco-friendly human composting products available for home use?
No, human composting must be done through a licensed funeral home because it requires specialized equipment and skillsets.
What is the process timeline for human composting services?
The entire process takes about 2-3 months.
Can I prepay or set up a contract for human composting services?
Yes. To prepay for human composting, you would create a prepayment agreement with a funeral home that offers human composting. To setup a contract for human composting, you would create an advance directive, ensuring the body will be composted after death.
Steps involved in the natural organic reduction process?
The body is placed in a biodegradable vessel with straw, alfalfa, and wood chips.
How do human composting services handle transportation and logistics?
Transportation and logistics vary depending on the funeral home. Many funeral homes will arrange for specialized transportation services to transport the body.
How much does a human composting service cost?
In New Jersey, human composting services cost on average, $5,000-$7,000. Sometimes this includes shipping and other times, it does not.
Are there financing options available for human composting?
Yes, organizations like Recompose offer financing options. Check the organization you want to use for specific information like qualifications, interest rates, and monthly payments.
Where can I learn more about human composting?
Recompose is the best resource for human composting:
https://recompose.life/human-composting/how-it-works/
Lauren the Mortician has that visually show you the process:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mTpEUj2egQ
