Washington has become the first US state to approve composting as an alternative to burying or cremating human remains. "That's a serious weight on the earth and the environment as your final farewell," said Senator Jamie Pedersen, the Seattle Democrat who sponsored the measure. A pilot project at Washington State University tested the idea last year on six bodies, all donors who Spade said wanted to be part of the study. The state senator said he has received angry emails from people who object to the idea, calling it undignified or disgusting. Recompose's website envisions an atrium-like space where bodies are composted in compartments stacked in a honeycomb design.

Source: Otago Daily Times May 21, 2019 22:52 UTC