Human Composting
Endswell has partnered with Recompose to offer human composting in North Carolina. Human Composting, also known as Natural Organic Reduction, mimics the natural break-down of the body in soil. It is a gentle, environmentally-friendly process that reduced the body to soil in a vessel filled with wood chips, straw, and alfalfa.
At Endswell Funeral Home, we understand that choosing an eco-friendly alternative matters to many people. That’s why we have partnered with Recompose to bring human composting services to the Triangle.
Human Composting and Its Legality in NC
Human composting, also known as natural organic reduction, is a process that transforms the human body into nutrient-rich soil. Developed by Recompose, this process involves placing the body in a vessel surrounded by organic materials like wood chips, alfalfa, and straw.
Over several weeks, microbes break down the body into soil that can be returned to loved ones or donated to conservation projects. This practice reduces carbon emissions and uses less energy than traditional cremation, making it a truly eco-friendly option.
While human composting is growing in popularity in places like Washington, Colorado, and Oregon, it is not yet legal to perform the process in North Carolina. That’s why we’ve partnered with Recompose to offer this service to our community.
Our Partnership With Recompose
Endswell has partnered with Recompose to offer human composting in North Carolina. When families choose to work with Recompose and Endswell, we handle all aspects of the process and offer transparent pricing.
We provide everything you need, including:
- Transportation
- Viewing or visitation services
- Death certificates
- Governmental reporting
- Obituary
- Coordination with major airlines to transport the body to Recompose’s facility in Seattle
- Keep the family updated as the composting process unfolds at Recompose
- Ensure the remains are returned to the family or scattered by Recompose, based on the family’s wishes
Families have more choices than ever for final disposition in North Carolina, including:
- Cremation
- Aquamation
- Traditional burial
- Green burial
- Human composting through the Recompose and Endswell partnership
Choosing your disposition method is a very personal matter; and Endswell is here to help explain the benefits of each method and discuss your personal preferences.
The Most Eco-Friendly Methods
Human composting, aquamation, and conservation burial are the most environmentally-friendly funeral options available.
Most families who call us about human composting end up choosing aquamation or conservation burial because the process is performed here in the Triangle. Aquamation is legal in North Carolina, it is affordable, and it has a much quicker turnaround time than human composting. Green Burial is another responsible, environmentally-friendly option; and Bluestem Conservation Cemetery is conveniently located less than 15 miles from Endswell.
If human composting with Recompose resonates with you and your family, we are happy to discuss the process, logistics, and costs to ensure you and your family can plan accordingly. Endswell will work to Recompose to handle every aspect of the process.
Aquamation: A Gentle Alternative
At Endswell Funeral Home, we have a passion for environmentally responsible end-of-life options. We were the first funeral home in the Triangle and the second in North Carolina to offer aquamation, a sustainable alternative to both traditional cremation and burial.
Aquamation, also known as water cremation, uses a gentle process to return the body to its basic building blocks. The result is the same as cremation—bone remains that can be placed in an urn or scattered—but without the harmful emissions or high energy consumption.
Aquamation avoids the intense heat and energy consumption of traditional cremation, instead using water and a natural alkaline solution to gently break down the body. This process uses a small fraction of the energy required for flame cremation and releases no harmful greenhouse gases. It’s a respectful and gentle choice for those who want to leave a smaller environmental footprint.
Families who choose aquamation at Endswell are often drawn to its thoughtful process, as aquamation mimics the natural decomposition that happens in the soil.
Our compassionate team at Endswell is committed to providing you with concierge funeral care while honoring your environmental values. Whether you’re planning ahead or making arrangements for a loved one, we’re here to guide you through every step of the process.
Contact us to learn more about aquamation and our other eco-friendly funeral services.
Another Alternative to Human Composting in North Carolina: Conservation Burial at Bluestem
Endswell is a proud service provider for burial at Bluestem Conservation Cemetery. We are conveniently located less than 15 miles from Bluestem and we are honored that so many of their families have chosen Endswell as their funeral home.
In our commitment to Bluestem’s conservation efforts, Endswell discounts our green burial service from $3500 to $3000, to make our services more accessible and to honor the value that Bluestem brings to this community.
Endswell offers concierge funeral care for families choosing green burial.
Our team provides:
- 24/7 support
- Coordination of transportation
- Storage and safekeeping of the body
- Completion and order of the death certificate
- Handling of all governmental reporting
- Coordination with Bluestem
- Delivery of the body at the date and time specified for the green burial service
- Shrouding of the body, which we include in our green burial package. We shroud the body with organic muslin cotton or a family quilt and, if requested, we lay North Carolina wildflowers on the shroud.
- We can also procure caskets made by local woodworkers. Our team offers concierge funeral services and we are here to assist with your requests and needs, whatever they may be.
Bluestem families choose conservation burial because it is a low-impact choice. Bluestem is both a conservation burial ground and a nature preserve; and working with Bluestem allows for intimate participation in laying your loved one to rest in a beautiful environment.
“Our mission is dedicated to nourishing spiritual practice, community service and ecological stewardship in shared fellowship. We honor the sacred in nature, the sacred in our relationships, and the sacred act of remembering our loved ones through green burial.”
Bluestem is a profound gift to this community that reflects the ultimate commitment to green burial and conservation. Endswell is honored to provide green burial services for Bluestem Conservation Cemetery.
Learning More About Eco-Friendly End-of-Life Care
If you’re ready to explore modern alternatives to conventional funeral practices, Endswell Funeral Home is the best resource in the Triangle for environmentally-friendly options.
Whether you’re exploring human composting, aquamation, low-emission flame cremation, or green burial, we’re here to guide you through the process and provide any resources you need.
Our team is dedicated to providing clear, transparent pricing, ensuring that everything you need—transportation, paperwork, and governmental reporting —is included in one straightforward package.
We also offer a unique Urn Gallery featuring over 300 locally crafted urns made from a variety of materials. From the mountains to the coast, we collaborate with talented artists to bring you a beautifully curated selection, allowing you to choose an urn that truly honors your loved one.
We’re proud to be a part of your journey towards an eco-friendly and meaningful end-of-life choice. We are available 24/7 at 919-907-9777 or you can contact Endswell online to learn more about our services.