Green-Wood Cemetery to Offer Eco-Friendly 'Natural Organic Reduction' for the Deceased
In a groundbreaking move, Brooklyn's historic Green-Wood Cemetery is set to launch an innovative, environmentally friendly option for the departed: composting corpses into nutrient-rich dirt. In partnership with German-based funeral company Meine Erde, the nearly 200-year-old cemetery will begin offering "natural organic reduction" – also known as terramation – starting in 2027.
This eco-conscious alternative promises to reduce the environmental impact of traditional burials and cremations. Unlike conventional methods, which can release greenhouse gases and pollutants into the atmosphere, terramation uses a controlled decomposition process to convert human remains into fertile soil. The entire process takes approximately 40 days, during which an unembalmed body is enclosed in a high-tech casket with added organic materials such as clover, wood chips, and straw.
According to Green-Wood Cemetery President Meera Joshi, the concept of terramation is akin to nature's own decomposition cycle. "It's like when a tree falls in the woods and slowly becomes earth over time," she explained. The composted remains can then be returned to the cemetery grounds, where they will nourish trees and other plants.
While the exact cost of this service has not been announced, similar programs in California and Washington state have reportedly ranged from $5,000 to $7,000 – significantly cheaper than traditional burial options at Green-Wood, which start at $21,000 for a gravesite. Those interested can inquire about terramation on the cemetery's website.
The shift towards eco-friendly death care comes as people increasingly seek sustainable ways to say goodbye to loved ones. Joshi noted that this approach will not only reduce environmental harm but also provide an opportunity for families to reconnect with nature and their ancestral heritage. "Everybody wants to be and stay in New York City, and that includes when you lose your loved one," she said. "If cemeteries are confined only to land sales and lot sales, at some point you run out of space."
In a groundbreaking move, Brooklyn's historic Green-Wood Cemetery is set to launch an innovative, environmentally friendly option for the departed: composting corpses into nutrient-rich dirt. In partnership with German-based funeral company Meine Erde, the nearly 200-year-old cemetery will begin offering "natural organic reduction" – also known as terramation – starting in 2027.
This eco-conscious alternative promises to reduce the environmental impact of traditional burials and cremations. Unlike conventional methods, which can release greenhouse gases and pollutants into the atmosphere, terramation uses a controlled decomposition process to convert human remains into fertile soil. The entire process takes approximately 40 days, during which an unembalmed body is enclosed in a high-tech casket with added organic materials such as clover, wood chips, and straw.
According to Green-Wood Cemetery President Meera Joshi, the concept of terramation is akin to nature's own decomposition cycle. "It's like when a tree falls in the woods and slowly becomes earth over time," she explained. The composted remains can then be returned to the cemetery grounds, where they will nourish trees and other plants.
While the exact cost of this service has not been announced, similar programs in California and Washington state have reportedly ranged from $5,000 to $7,000 – significantly cheaper than traditional burial options at Green-Wood, which start at $21,000 for a gravesite. Those interested can inquire about terramation on the cemetery's website.
The shift towards eco-friendly death care comes as people increasingly seek sustainable ways to say goodbye to loved ones. Joshi noted that this approach will not only reduce environmental harm but also provide an opportunity for families to reconnect with nature and their ancestral heritage. "Everybody wants to be and stay in New York City, and that includes when you lose your loved one," she said. "If cemeteries are confined only to land sales and lot sales, at some point you run out of space."
... like how can we not want to help the environment while we're still here? 
it's about time our world leaders prioritize eco-friendliness in everything, including death care. and think about how beautiful it is to have loved ones' remains returned to nature - like a symbol of new life 
. I do hope more places follow suit and make this option available ASAP! 
. Can you imagine being able to return your loved one's remains to nature and watching them nourish trees and plants? It's like a beautiful cycle of life and growth 
. Plus, it's way more sustainable than traditional burials or cremations – who doesn't want to reduce their carbon footprint? 
. I think it's amazing that Green-Wood Cemetery is leading the charge on eco-friendly death care. Can't wait to see more cemeteries follow suit! 
. I mean, who wants to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions when we can turn our loved ones into nutrient-rich soil? 
It's all about reducing waste and taking care of our Mother Earth, right? The fact that it's not super expensive is a bonus too - $5,000-$7,000 isn't crazy when you think about the bigger picture 
. I'm curious to try this out someday (not anytime soon, but maybe in 30 years or so), and I hope more cemeteries follow suit 
.
I mean, who wouldn't want to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support sustainable death care? It's like, we're finally catching on that the earth is our home too... not just our tombstones 
. The fact that it's only gonna cost $5k-$7k is actually pretty reasonable compared to traditional burial options. Plus, it's like a full-circle thing - the composted remains get returned to the cemetery grounds and help nourish trees and plants 
. I'm all about reconnecting with nature and our heritage. Bring on 2027 and let's give this terramation thing a try! 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to return to the earth in a way that's like, super natural? 
. Can't wait for 2027 when this service starts, might just have to look into it myself 
it's like, we can finally reduce our carbon footprint even more and help the planet at the same time 
and i'm low-key hoping green wood becomes the go-to spot for those who wanna do things sustainable 
... I mean, have you ever seen a fire burning with leaves and branches without any plastic waste? It's like nature is giving us permission to be more chill. And speaking of chill, I saw this documentary on Netflix about a guy who travels the world in his van and doesn't use Wi-Fi 
... he just lives off the grid and it looks so peaceful! I wonder if we could apply that same vibe to how we think about death and the environment? Like, instead of focusing on the cost or the convenience, maybe we should be thinking about how our choices affect the planet 
...i mean its nice and all that composting corpses into dirt is eco friendly but what happens to the actual human remains? like dna and stuff? seems a bit sketchy 
and what if the decomposition process goes wrong? cant just leave someones body in a casket with clover and wood chips and hope for the best 