Compostable Corpse-Made Soils
Green-Wood Cemetery and Meine Erde Invest in Greener Burial Options
Kanesa D — February 9, 2026
Green-Wood Cemetery has partnered with German company Meine Erde to introduce an alternative burial option that significantly reduces environmental impact: a rapid, controlled composting process that transforms human remains into nutrient-rich soil in about 40 days.
The process, known as “terramation,” is offered by Meine Erde as a more sustainable alternative to conventional burial or cremation. Instead of embalming chemicals or high energy use, the body is placed in a specially engineered vessel along with natural organic materials such as wood chips and plant matter. The sealed container gently rotates and carefully regulates temperature, moisture, and oxygen levels, creating ideal conditions for natural decomposition.
Once the process is complete, the resulting soil can be returned to Green-Wood and used on its grounds to support landscaping and conservation efforts.
