Human Composting

 There is a new alternative to burial and cremation – human composting. Scientifically referred to as  Natural Organic Reduction (NOR), it is the latest sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to a body being embalmed before burial. (The U.S. uses more than 8000,000 gallons of embalming fluid in a year, which after burial seeps out into our ground.)

 

How It Works

Preparing for NOR (Recompose)

    

The process of human composting involves the body being placed in an 8-foot steel cylinder that is filled with wood chips or sawdust, and alfalfa straw. Oxygen is added, and the container is kept between 130 and 160 degrees Fahrenheit to speed up decomposition.

 

An Earth Funeral Vessel

 

Once the decomposition begins, the cylinder is rotated so that the remains continue to break down. The process takes 30 to 40 days 

and results in around a cubic yard 

of nutrient-rich soil (and bone fragments), just like you get from your backyard compost pile. The cost is around $5,000.

 

 

            Return Home Composting            

Families may claim the composted soil for burial, or scattering. Some conservation groups will also accept human compost. It is a sustainable alternative in metro areas where traditional burial grounds are filling up.

 

Now Legal in Six States

Human Composting was first legalized in Washington State in 2019 by a new company called Recompose.

 

By April 2021, Colorado had also legalized NOR, followed quickly by Oregon. In 2022, California and Vermont joined the group. And in January 2023, New York legalized the process.

 

Companies That Offer Human Composting

 

Recompose is the company that started it all. Founded in 2017 by Katrina Spade, it was the first human composting funeral home in the U.S. Recompose offers a way to “recycle” ourselves while creating a sustainable future. The facility also offers tours.

 

Earth Funeral offers carbon-neutral funerals. Located in Oregon and Washington, their soil transformation takes about 45 days. Families may accept the compost, scatter it and plant a flower or tree, or donate it to the Olympic Peninsula conservation site for land restoration projects.

 

 

Herland Forest began as a non-profit natural burial cemetery in Washington State. Located on the edge of the Cascadian wilderness, Herland Forest is committed to helping an individual complete the “circle of life.” A video and slideshow explain natural burial.

 

 

 

 

Return Home is a full service green funeral home in Seattle,
Washington. Operating the world’s largest NOR facility, families may visit a loved one’s vessel during the 30 to 60 day process. Their 8-acre woodland offers dedicated space for scattering composting remains.

 

Leaving the Earth a Better Place

Natural and green burials have become popular during the 21^st century. Human composting may be the next eco-alternative process, along with flame cremation, and water cremation in the U.S. 

Time will tell.

 

 

~ Joy

 

I'm Back!!

 

Hello Tombstone Tourists! 

WOW! Where has the time gone? It's been a busy six months, but I turned in my final book corrections yesterday so this seemed the perfect time to dive back into A Grave Interest. (And you wouldn't believe how I've missed it!)

Regarding the book, I already have a title and publication date so it finally seems real. In fact, Family Tree Publishing is taking preorders. The title is The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide and it will be released on September 22, 2017.

What's it About?

It’s full of tips and tricks to help you locate your ancestor’s graves plus those illusive death records that can lead to other clues in your genealogy search. Plus, I share some stories of how cemetery research has led me into some interesting findings; an unknown family member, a sudden profusion of ancestors, and a family secret of monumental proportions. Suffice it to say I'm excited! 

Jesuit Cemetery

Thanks for your patience while I tackled this milestone. Now, back to cemetery jaunts and writing about what I find along the way. Next Friday, we'll take a look at Jesuit cemetery tucked away at a resort.

Joy

A Grave Interest Celebrates Its 2nd Blog-a-versary

WOW!! Time passes so quickly!  I began this blog on February 1^st, 2011 as a good reason to ‘haunt’ cemeteries ; )  But it’s grown from something fun to do, to a passion. 

Mapping Cemeteries

I can no longer go anywhere without checking to see how many cemeteries there are along the way and where they are located.  A trip to Cincinnati or St Louis takes twice as long now – there has to be stops at cemeteries, both coming and going.

St Michael & the Devil

Mausoleum

Friends now understand when I launch off on a description of the latest stunning statue, quirky name, or interesting mausoleum I’ve found.  Although they may not plan to spend their weekends in the cemetery, many have asked to 'tag along' when I'm heading out to spend the day.

I’ve connected with hundreds of cemetery people doing this. It's  amazing to realize what a large community this is!  I love the fact that this is such an accepting group of people. Cemetery lovers are very willing to share their knowledge.  Or to say, “I don’t know a thing about that.  Can anyone tell me more?”

Over the past two years, I’ve written almost 150 blog posts.  I am appreciative to the over 10,000 people who read these posts each month. Readers are from as far away as India, Russia, and Slovenia, to those in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.

The Grave of Mr Accordion

Grave of a Pet

A Grave Interest has given me a reason to research and write about subjects I’m really fascinated with!  Within the past year, I’ve been able to delve into the lives of poets and musicians, to explore slices of history, to learn more about grave markers, symbols, the cost of dying, superstitions and legends, even pets in the cemetery.

Although it's AGI's 2nd anniversary, my husband is still shocked that I can continually come up with ideas for more blogs.  (When I started, he wasn’t sure I would find enough to blog about for a year…. ; )  But the cemeteries offer up so many ideas and opportunities for subjects to explore.  And you, the reader, propose ideas with your questions, and offer wonderful suggestions. (I’m already filling the 2014 calendar with ideas….)

Hidden Graves

One of the most popular posts for the past year dealt with Central State Hospital, better known as the Indiana Insane Asylum and the adjacent cemetery http://agraveinterest.blogspot.com/2012/10/central-state-hosptial-indiana-insane.html.  The hospital buildings are now abandoned and the cemetery lay in disrepair, a sad testament to those who passed through those doors.

Digging a Grave By Hand

Another well-liked post was about the High Cost of Dying http://agraveinterest.blogspot.com/2012/03/high-cost-of-dying-traditional-funeral.html.  An average funeral in the US runs about $8,000, and that does not include the cemetery costs and other 'incidentals'.  As my grandfather used to say, "Death is not for the faint-of heart".

The Big Bopper

Buddy Holly

And the most popular post for the past year - The Day the Music Died http://agraveinterest.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-music-died.html. This post took a look back at the plane crash that killed three men who have been called the most promising stars of rock and roll -  J.P. Richardson – the Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens, and Buddy Holly.

Gothic Mausoleum

Skull & Crossbones on Stone

And, of course, the October haunted cemeteries series are always “frightfully fun”!  I love doing these!  This past year, I went to Chicago’s Resurrection Cemetery, the Indianapolis Insane Asylum cemetery, Spring Grove in Cincinnati, and Greenwood Cemetery in Decatur, searching for special haunts.

Facebook Cemetery Groups

I have found that it doesn’t matter how you become involved in the cemetery community, whether you’re a photographer, a tombstone tourist, a genealogist, a writer, a sexton, or a blogger, you will discover that there are Facebook groups, blogs, and web sites where you can share photos, ideas, and insights.  One reason I believe this community is so approachable is an understanding that, “We all have a deep respect for the past, and, let's face it, we all know where it’s gonna end…”

So, as I begin another year, I'd like to thank you for your kind suggestions, words, and deeds in helping make A Grave Interest so much fun, and so successful!  And also for following on Blogger, http://agraveinterest.blogspot.com and Twitter, https://twitter.com/aGraveInterest and “Liking” on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Grave-Interest.

Now, let’s cut that cemetery cake and get ready for A Grave Interest year!!

~ Joy

A Date Which Will Live in Infamy….December 7, 1941

Attack on Pearl Harbor

Hawaii Coast

Today marks the 71^st anniversary of the surprise aerial attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor.  On a quiet, sunny Sunday morning, just before 8 A.M., the Japanese launched over 350 fighter, bomber and torpedo planes, along with several submarines, in an attack against the base in Hawaii.

Hawaii

Battleship Bombing

The surprise attack had been in the planning stages since January 1941.  The Japanese decided to attack on a Sunday morning because they believed that they could catch the Americans by surprise and do tremendous damage to the aircraft carriers.  But the carriers were out to sea, so the Japanese decided to attack other targets of opportunity, the battleships.

Battleship Row

Battleships Bombed

Eight battleships, the entire U.S. Pacific fleet, except for the Colorado, were at Pearl Harbor that morning. Seven of the ships were lined up in ‘Battleship Row,’ presenting easy targets from the air.  Of the eight ships sank or damaged during the attack, all but two, the Arizona and the Oklahoma, were eventually returned to active duty.

USS Arizona Sinking

USS Arizona

The U.S.S. Arizona was struck several times by bombs, and exploded when a bomb hit her forward ammunition room.  Approximately 1,170 of her crew died on board.  The Arizona became the war memorial to Pearl Harbor.

USS Oklahoma Capsized

USS Oklahoma Before

The U.S.S. Oklahoma was struck by nine torpedoes before listing on her side and turning upside down.  Most of her crew was trapped on board.  Only 32 crewmen were saved.

Japanese Zero

The Japanese launched two destructive waves against the island that morning, one at 7:55 and the other at 8:40.  The cry of “Tora, Tora, Tora” was a signal to the Japanese Navy that the Americans had, indeed, been caught unawares.

Direct Hit

Arial Attack

But during that short two hour period, 21 ships were severely damaged or sunk.  This included eight battleships, four destroyers, three light cruisers, one minelayer, one target ship, and four auxiliaries. 

Airfields Attacked

Wingtip to Wingtip

The Japanese also destroyed 188 U.S. planes and damaged over 150 more on the airfields at Hickam, Wheeler, Bellows, Schoefield, Barracks, Ewa, and Kaneohe Naval Air Station.  The planes had been lined up on the airfields wingtip to wingtip in order to thwart sabotage attempts. They were easy targets for the Japanese strafing and bombing runs. 

Pacific Fleet

U.S. Aircraft Carrier

Although profoundly shaken and stunned, the Pacific fleet still maintained its aircraft carriers, submarines, and fuel supplies. None of those had been damaged.  This would be the foundation on which the U.S. would build it's destruction of the Japanese forces four years later.

Battleship Explosion

Sinking of Ships

The total number of U.S. servicemen killed on December 7th was over 2,400.  The U.S. military reported 1,143 personnel were wounded during the attack. Sixty-eight civilians were killed, and more than 30 were injured.

USS Utah

USS Oklahoma Capsized

Of those who died that day, it was reported that two-thirds died within the first 15 minutes when the Arizona, Oklahoma and Utah were bombed. Nearly half of the lives lost were on board the Arizona.

A Zero is  Hit

Anti-Aircraft Fire

U.S. personnel rallied quickly under attack, using anti-aircraft fire to defend the island of Oahu, Hawaii.  The Japanese lost 29 planes, a large submarine, and five midget subs in the encounter.

Remains of Japanese Plane

The total number of Japanese personnel lost was 65 servicemen, killed or wounded. One Japanese sailor was captured.

On December 8, 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt took to the airwaves, attempting to explain what had happened in Hawaii. Roosevelt began his address with these famous words, 

President Roosevelt's Radio Address

“Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”

Addressing Congress

During that short six-minute radio address, the President appealed to outraged Americans to support him in the abandonment of the U.S. policy of isolationism.  The President then asked Congress to declare war on Japan.

Signing the Declaration of War

That same day, Congress voted that a state of war existed between the United States and Japan, and gave the President the power necessary to wage war with all of the resources of the country.  Three days later, Germany and Italy joined Japan in declaring war on the United States and the U.S. responded in turn.  The attack on Pearl Harbor was the defining incident that brought the U.S. into the Second World War, more than two years after the conflict had begun.

The nation entered the war with the rallying cry, “Remember Pearl Harbor!”

After the attacks, 15 Medals of Honor, 51 Navy Crosses, 53 Silver Stars, four Navy and Marine Corps Medals, a Distinguished Flying Cross, four Distinguished Service Crosses, one Distinguished Service Medal, and three Bronze Stars were awarded to American servicemen who fought in the combat at Pearl Harbor that December Sunday.  Later, the Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal, a special military award was designated and given to all military veterans of the attack.

Wreath Laying by Members in 2006

In December 1954, the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association held its first meeting to commemorate and remember their fallen comrades.  The first organized meeting was held in California where over 1,000 Pearl Harbor survivors attended the event.  Last year, on December 31, 2011, the association terminated its existence, citing the reasons as the age and health of its remaining members.

Names of Those Who Died

USS Arizona Memorial

Today, the island of Oahu is home to the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial.   It was during 1950 that the Arizona’s midships structure, which remained above the water level, was used as a location for memorial services.   In May of 1962, the memorial was dedicated as an open-air shrine. The names of the dead are carved in marble on the memorial’s walls.  

USS Arizona Memorial

Tossing a Wreath

Wreaths and leis are tossed onto the water as tributes to those who died.  And still, after 70 years, an iridescent slick of oil continues to leak from the Arizona’s ruptured bunkers, at the bottom of the sea. It is sobering when you realize that the memorial is situated over the gravesite where 1,177 men lost their lives that December morning.

More than 1.5 million people visit this memorial each year.

Pacific National Monument

The World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument opened in 2008, and the Pearl Harbor Visitors Center was opened in 2010.  Both sites assist in enhancing the experiences of this historical area – and in explaining why this became “A date which will live in infamy!”

~ Joy