Germany Explores Human Composting: A New Approach to Post-Mortem Care
In Germany, a novel approach to post-mortem care is being explored. A private company is trialling human composting in a sealed system, approved by the state of Schleswig-Holstein. This method, which aims to be more environmentally friendly, is raising questions about societal acceptance and cultural shifts in funeral practices.
The process, known as 'recomposting', involves placing the deceased in a cocoon and laying them on a bed of hay, straw, and flowers. The body is then covered with the same materials and left to 'digest' for about 40 days. This results in earth, which is mixed with remaining bones and buried in a biodegradable linen bag.
This method requires a shallower grave, approximately 90 cm deep, compared to the usual two meters. It must also meet aesthetic, psychological, and practical requirements, which can be challenging with human compost. While many terminally ill individuals and mourners express interest in a more natural funeral culture, fears and reservations persist.
A TV report titled 'Compost Me! - Natural Burials' airing on Arte at 9:45 PM today delves into these alternative burial methods. In the UK, similar practices have been taking place for 25 years, with natural burials in forests using sustainably made urns or coffins under a tree and without a headstone.
The societal response to this new form of human composting in Germany will be pivotal. As the trial continues, it will be crucial to address the concerns and preferences of the public, while also considering the environmental benefits and cultural shifts this method could bring to funeral practices.
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