A Treatise on Human Composting

Grandpa Tony died when I was nine years old.  And I didn’t know a lot about death and dying at the time.  I knew old people died and pets died.  But I never experienced the actual fact of death until Grandpa died.  Then my nine year old mind got confused and overwhelmed.

First of all, Grandpa’s body was laid out in the living room, because Grandma had trouble getting around.  The candles next to the coffin reflected in the mirror on my bedroom door.  I was frightened, and I was confused about being frightened.  Why should I be afraid of Grandpa just because he was dead?   The next morning the coffin was closed and transported to St Adelbert’s Cemetery, where it was entombed in a concrete vault and buried.

I didn’t think too much about it at the time.   I just accepted this was how things were done.  There were probably good reasons for preserving a dead body, but I couldn’t figure them out.  It made some sense to embalm bodies, so funeral rites could be conducted before the corpse got too ripe.  But what purpose does a steel coffin and a concrete vault serve?  To preserve the remains of the meat suit a bit longer?  Why?

Cremation doesn’t require steel or concrete, but it does require a lot of energy.  After considering the matter for a moment or two, I have come to the conclusion that the most efficient and effective method of disposing of those who go ahead to prepare the way for us is: human composting.  The meat, bones, and plumbing will, sooner or later, decompose. They could decompose into dust in a steel shell in a cement box, or they could be reabsorbed into the breast of Mother Earth.  A tree or flowers planted over the internment sight would be a reminder of, and a tribute to, the departed    Maybe that’s what reincarnation means.

On a more personal note, all manner of flora and fauna have nourished and sustained me for going on eighty years.  It is only good manners for me to return the favor.   I said this before, and I’ll say it again:  I want to be composted.  Not me, just the meat suit, when I’m done with it.   I saw an advertisement for a casket made from branches.  That would be nice, but a big lawn and yard bag would work just as well.  Compost Me!

Disregard my final wishes at your peril.