The drive to push everything “organic” has hit the final frontier.
Since Washington state first approved the ‘human composting’ option for disposing of remains, seven other states have followed suit and approved this particular method of burial (Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon, New York, Nevada, and Vermont).
It appears Rhode Island is poised to be next, as the state House of Representatives just approved a bill supporting this ‘deathcare’ option. Composting a body is very similar to the process associated with other organic materials.
The process uses large vessels to hold human remains together with wood chips, straw or other natural materials for about 30 days, during which the human remains and organic materials are mixed with warm air and periodically turned.This results in the body breaking down until only a soil material remains, which can then be given to the deceased’s family.
The bill’s sponsor makes it seem like the last grand virtue-signaling gesture that could be made.
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Michelle McGaw, would legalize natural organic reduction, which is commonly referred to as human composting, and allow Rhode Islanders to choose it as an alternative to burial or cremation.“Not everyone is comfortable with the impact of burial, which occupies land, or cremation, which emits a significant amount of carbon,” McGaw explained. “Natural organic reduction is a greener alternative that may be preferable for those concerned about how their final wishes affect the planet.”…“For people who have respected the earth and tried to lighten their impact on it in life, it makes sense to also want to take the greenest, most environmentally beneficial route in death,” McGaw said. “This is an option that we should work to make available here in Rhode Island, for our people and for our planet.”
Other state legislators were less supportive and expressed concern about human remains being treated like trash.
Rep. Arthur Corvese, D-North Providence, said the issue is “visceral” and that constituents will complain that the legislature took time to consider a bill to allow people to choose how their bodies are dealt with, a trivial matter, compared to more important issues like the Washington Bridge failure, infrastructure problems and the housing crisis, and that it would be divisive…..”On the other end, the darker side, where I reside, that is where you can’t shake the nagging image, the feeling, the part and parcel of continuation of disrespect for life, the continuation of the culture of death and callousness, we see permeating through the country,” Corvese said.Rep. Teresa Tanzi, D-South Kingstown, shot back that she was “one of them” and that there was no need to make the issue divisive.”This is not something that’s being thrust upon anyone, this is the way we as individuals will be choosing how we return to the earth,” Tanzi said.Rep. Charlene Lima, D-Cranston, said human remains aren’t refuse and should be treated with “respect after death” and that allowing people to choose to be composted was roughly equivalent to treating human remains as trash.
Let’s hope the choice of ‘deathcare’ is not thrust upon anyone by mandates. It seems not everyone is comfortable with the idea of using remains as potting soil.
When New York considered their human composting bill, the New York State Catholic Conference released a memorandum of opposition provided to Newsweek that explained why they believe the process should not be made legal.”Like many faith traditions, the Catholic Church’s reverence for the sacredness of the human body and its dignity arises out of concern for both the body’s natural and supernatural properties. It is therefore essential that the body of a deceased person be treated with reverence and respect,” the memorandum reads.It continues: “A process whereby human remains are composted and scattered ‘in a designated scattering garden or area in a cemetery’ (bill language) fails to sufficiently respect the dignity due the deceased.”
I am “pro-choice” for funeral options. Personally, I am hoping for an ancient Egyptian-style mummification. As long as I can make my own decisions in this matter, I don’t have an issue with the choices others make.
Unfortunately, recent experience suggests that eco-activists don’t hesitate to make their preferences for today everyone’s requirements for tomorrow.
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