https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-human-composting-washington-green-burial-inslee-20190513-story.html

Washington prepares to become the first state to legalize “human composting,” not everyone is dying to turn their loved ones’ bodies into garden-variety soil.

Even the lawmaker who sponsored the bill awaiting action by the governor receives emails from people around the country expressing disgust.

“I think the vision they have is that you throw Grandpa out in the backyard with food scraps,” said state Sen. Jamie Pedersen, a Seattle Democrat.

In fact, Pedersen said, the idea is that “bodies are being reduced to soil in a way that is essentially an acceleration of a very natural process.” The practice reduces the environmental impact, he said, and saves land from being taken up by cemetery plots and headstones.

Some Washington residents are already lining up to be composted — when their day comes. And Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat focusing his p**********l campaign on c*****e c****e, may sign the bill in order to cut carbon emissions from burials and cremations; he has until May 21 to decide.

Going easy on the environment is one reason Nina Schoen, 48, of Seattle plans to direct in her will that her body be composted.

“I don’t want to leave a toxic footprint when I go,” said Schoen, a media tech executive who urged state legislators to v**e for the bill.

I don't know what to think about this, on one hand it is not a bad thing as we all return to dust. But, on the other hand could this promote diseases? As you may know, there are religions that do not embalm and use simple coffins that break down easily.... but, for the most part those folks are planted in family cemeteries where contamination is limited. We have one on the farm, so I don't have an issue with being composted.... But, on a grander scale.... the remains could leach into water tables.... As I said, I do not know what to think about an entire state composting bodies.

https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-human-composting-washington-green-burial-inslee-20190513-story.html

Washington prepares to become the first state to legalize “human composting,” not everyone is dying to turn their loved ones’ bodies into garden-variety soil.

Even the lawmaker who sponsored the bill awaiting action by the governor receives emails from people around the country expressing disgust.

“I think the vision they have is that you throw Grandpa out in the backyard with food scraps,” said state Sen. Jamie Pedersen, a Seattle Democrat.

In fact, Pedersen said, the idea is that “bodies are being reduced to soil in a way that is essentially an acceleration of a very natural process.” The practice reduces the environmental impact, he said, and saves land from being taken up by cemetery plots and headstones.

Some Washington residents are already lining up to be composted — when their day comes. And Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat focusing his p**********l campaign on c*****e c****e, may sign the bill in order to cut carbon emissions from burials and cremations; he has until May 21 to decide.

Going easy on the environment is one reason Nina Schoen, 48, of Seattle plans to direct in her will that her body be composted.

“I don’t want to leave a toxic footprint when I go,” said Schoen, a media tech executive who urged state legislators to v**e for the bill.

I don't know what to think about this, on one hand it is not a bad thing as we all return to dust. But, on the other hand could this promote diseases? As you may know, there are religions that do not embalm and use simple coffins that break down easily.... but, for the most part those folks are planted in family cemeteries where contamination is limited. We have one on the farm, so I don't have an issue with being composted.... But, on a grander scale.... the remains could leach into water tables.... As I said, I do not know what to think about an entire state composting bodies.

https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-human-composting-washington-green-burial-inslee-20190513-story.html

Washington prepares to become the first state to legalize “human composting,” not everyone is dying to turn their loved ones’ bodies into garden-variety soil.

Even the lawmaker who sponsored the bill awaiting action by the governor receives emails from people around the country expressing disgust.

“I think the vision they have is that you throw Grandpa out in the backyard with food scraps,” said state Sen. Jamie Pedersen, a Seattle Democrat.

In fact, Pedersen said, the idea is that “bodies are being reduced to soil in a way that is essentially an acceleration of a very natural process.” The practice reduces the environmental impact, he said, and saves land from being taken up by cemetery plots and headstones.

Some Washington residents are already lining up to be composted — when their day comes. And Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat focusing his p**********l campaign on c*****e c****e, may sign the bill in order to cut carbon emissions from burials and cremations; he has until May 21 to decide.

Going easy on the environment is one reason Nina Schoen, 48, of Seattle plans to direct in her will that her body be composted.

“I don’t want to leave a toxic footprint when I go,” said Schoen, a media tech executive who urged state legislators to v**e for the bill.

I don't know what to think about this, on one hand it is not a bad thing as we all return to dust. But, on the other hand could this promote diseases? As you may know, there are religions that do not embalm and use simple coffins that break down easily.... but, for the most part those folks are planted in family cemeteries where contamination is limited. We have one on the farm, so I don't have an issue with being composted.... But, on a grander scale.... the remains could leach into water tables.... As I said, I do not know what to think about an entire state composting bodies.

https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-human-composting-washington-green-burial-inslee-20190513-story.html

Washington prepares to become the first state to legalize “human composting,” not everyone is dying to turn their loved ones’ bodies into garden-variety soil.

Even the lawmaker who sponsored the bill awaiting action by the governor receives emails from people around the country expressing disgust.

“I think the vision they have is that you throw Grandpa out in the backyard with food scraps,” said state Sen. Jamie Pedersen, a Seattle Democrat.

In fact, Pedersen said, the idea is that “bodies are being reduced to soil in a way that is essentially an acceleration of a very natural process.” The practice reduces the environmental impact, he said, and saves land from being taken up by cemetery plots and headstones.

Some Washington residents are already lining up to be composted — when their day comes. And Gov. Jay Inslee, a Democrat focusing his p**********l campaign on c*****e c****e, may sign the bill in order to cut carbon emissions from burials and cremations; he has until May 21 to decide.

Going easy on the environment is one reason Nina Schoen, 48, of Seattle plans to direct in her will that her body be composted.

“I don’t want to leave a toxic footprint when I go,” said Schoen, a media tech executive who urged state legislators to v**e for the bill.

I don't know what to think about this, on one hand it is not a bad thing as we all return to dust. But, on the other hand could this promote diseases? As you may know, there are religions that do not embalm and use simple coffins that break down easily.... but, for the most part those folks are planted in family cemeteries where contamination is limited. We have one on the farm, so I don't have an issue with being composted.... But, on a grander scale.... the remains could leach into water tables.... As I said, I do not know what to think about an entire state composting bodies.

Rose, as I wrote..... I am unsure what to think. I may need time to think about the intricacies of the decomposing human body before I can get behind the idea or decry it for sanitation reasons. The article is unclear if the body would be embalmed before being planted under cabbage.... if so, that would eliminate most Bloodborne pathogens. But, then there is the embalming fluid leaching into soil and being absorbed by the crops..... Can those chemicals have an adverse affect on living humans/animals? The decomposition of animal feces or carcases, at least for me, is a non issue as most of the life threatening diseases carried by animals do not have a cross over with humans and vice versa. Most diseases are species orientated. So, for me.... unsure!