Terramation: What It Is and Why Some People Are Choosing It
Not everyone wants to be buried. And cremation doesn’t sit right with everyone either.
Some people don’t like the idea of embalming. Or fire. Or steel boxes underground. Others are thinking about climate, land use, and how much space we really take up, especially at the end.
Talk to a few millennials about what they want when they die, and you’ll probably hear the same thing: I want to become a tree.
Terramation makes that possible. It’s a newer option. Simple. Natural. Grounded in science. It turns the body into soil, slowly and gently.
It’s not the right choice for everyone. But if you’ve ever said you just want to go back to the earth, this might be what you meant.
Too Long; Didn’t Read: What Is Terramation?
Terramation, also called human composting or natural organic reduction, turns human remains into nutrient-rich soil
The terramation process takes about 60 days
The result is about one cubic yard of life-giving soil
It’s legal in twelve states and expanding
Families can take part in a laying in ceremony or simply receive the finished soil
Terramation avoids fossil fuels, chemicals, and heavy land use
It offers an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional burial and cremation
What Is Terramation?
Terramation is the process of turning a human body into soil.
It works through something called natural organic reduction. That’s a controlled composting process that uses microbes, oxygen, and organic material to break the body down safely and naturally.
The idea is not new. Nature has always known how to do this. Terramation just makes the process cleaner and more intentional.
It’s legal, safe, and done in a way that respects both the body and the earth.
How the Terramation Process Works
The process starts with a terramation vessel. Inside, the body is placed on a bed of organic material like straw, alfalfa, or wood chips.
Over the next 30 to 60 days, microbes take over. The environment inside the vessel is carefully controlled. Temperature, airflow, and humidity are adjusted to support the composting process.
What remains at the end is about one cubic yard of clean, nutrient-rich soil. This is screened, cured, and returned to the family.
Some people choose to take part in a laying in ceremony before the vessel is closed. This can include placing flowers, notes, or other personal items with the body. Others skip that part and focus on what happens after.
What Happens to the Soil
Families receive the finished soil when the process is complete. It’s usually about one cubic yard, or roughly the amount that would fill the back of a standard pickup truck.
That’s enough for a small garden, a grove of trees, or to scatter in a natural space that mattered. Some people choose to plant something with it. Others donate it to a forest restoration project or keep it for future use.
If you’re someone who said you wanted to become a tree, this is how. The soil created through human composting supports reforestation, native plant growth, and other outdoor spaces where life continues.
One question that comes up often is whether the soil can be used to grow food. I asked this at Terracon 2025. While they didn’t go into deep detail, the general recommendation was to keep it to trees, forests, and open land, not vegetable gardens.
How Terramation Compares to Burial and Cremation
Everyone knows about burial. Most people know cremation. Terramation is still new to many.
Traditional burial often includes embalming, a casket, a vault, and a permanent plot. It takes up land and relies on materials that do not return to the earth.
Cremation feels simpler but comes with its own issues. It uses high heat powered by fossil fuels. It releases carbon into the atmosphere.
Terramation avoids both. It does not use fire, chemicals, or concrete. It creates life-giving soil that goes back into the land.
Each method offers something different. Terramation offers simplicity, sustainability, and a quiet way to return home.
What If You Have an Immediate Need
Not everyone has time to plan. Sometimes you’re just trying to figure out what happens next.
If someone has died and you’re making decisions in real time, terramation can still be an option. Many providers work with families who are in that position. They can walk you through the process, answer questions, and help you decide what’s possible.
You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to know that this choice exists.
Legal Status and Preplanning
Terramation is legal in twelve states right now. That number is likely to grow as more people ask for it and more lawmakers catch up.
If this is something you want for yourself, you can make that known. Add it to your will or advance directive. Tell your family. It doesn’t have to be a long conversation. Just a clear one.
Preplanning doesn’t lock you into anything. It just gives the people around you one less thing to figure out later.
Where to Start: Terramation Providers
If you’re curious about terramation or thinking about making arrangements, here are a few places to look into. These providers offer terramation services and have helped guide families through the process.
1. Return Home
Based in Washington, Return Home is one of the most well-known terramation providers. They offer full support, including ceremonies, soil delivery, and guidance for both immediate need and preplanning. They also serve Colorado families and handle transportation if needed.
2. The Natural Funeral
Located in Colorado, The Natural Funeral was the first in the state to offer human composting. Their facility is based in Arvada, and they provide terramation services for families who want a local, in-state option.
3. Earth Funeral
Earth Funeral operates in multiple states and focuses on sustainability and accessibility. While they don’t have a physical location in Colorado, they work with funeral homes there to offer transport to their facility.
You don’t have to choose right away. But knowing what’s available can help you or your family make a decision when the time comes.
Final Thought: Returning to the Earth
Terramation is not for everyone. But it is an option. A real one.
It offers a way to say goodbye that feels natural. It gives the body back to the earth in a form that can support something new.
It’s simple. It’s quiet. And for a lot of people, it feels like the right kind of ending.
Frequently Asked Questions: Terramation
How much soil is created?
About one cubic yard per person. Enough to fill the back of a pickup truck or plant a small grove.
What is terramation?
Terramation, also called human composting or natural organic reduction, is the process of turning human remains into nutrient-rich soil.
Is terramation legal?
It is currently legal in twelve states. More are expected to follow.
What is a laying in ceremony?
A quiet moment before the process begins where loved ones can place flowers, notes, or personal items with the body.
Can the soil be used to grow food?
Most providers recommend using the soil for trees, forests, and natural spaces—not vegetable gardens.
Can I preplan for terramation?
Yes. You can include it in your will or speak directly with a provider. Preplanning can make things easier for the people you leave behind.
