Terramation is a process legally known as natural organic reduction or human composting. The process of Terramation or Natural Organic Reduction  gently transforms human remains into nutrient rich, life-giving soil.

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Natural Organic Reduction or Terramation is a process that takes place naturally in the world, all the time. Our process of Terramation simply reduces human remains naturally back to the earth faster. 

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How the process works:

 

Individual remains are placed in a sealed, environmentally controlled vessel.  This vessel is then filled with a mixture of organic materials such as alfalfa, straw and sawdust. Oxygen is allowed to flow through the vessel and out to a highly sensitive HVAC system where the air is scrubbed and reintroduced to the environment. This movement of air in the vessel stimulates microbes in the body to become super-active. These microbes quickly transform the body into organic matter. The terramation process is closely monitored and controlled. After 30-days, the vessel is rotated and screened to remove any inorganic materials left behind.  These inorganic materials might include medically implanted devices such as pacemakers.  Any remaining bone that is found during the screening process is then reduced much like the cremation process to a 1/8th inch shard.  These shards are placed back into the soil and the soil is placed into a vessel to cure for an additional 30 days.  At the conclusion of the 60 day process, the nutrient rich, fertile soil is ready to return to the family. 

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Terramation uses no chemicals or inoculants. Natural Organic Reduction or Terramation uses only natural materials and oxygen during the gentle reduction process. The Terramation process is highly energy-efficient. Unlike the cremation process, Terramation burns no green-house gasses and results in usable soil which provides life-giving nutrients to the earth and helps retain nitrogen in the ground. 

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Where can the soil be placed?

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Terramated soil may be placed on private or public property provided you have the landowners permission.  The decision of where your may wish to place the terramated soil is up to you and your family. Terramated soil is rich in life-giving nutrients and marvelously fertile, making it ideal for a memorial garden. Many families have chosen to create a memorial flower bed or plant a tree with the terramated soil. Some families have scatter the Terramated soil in a place that is special to them. You are welcome to take as much soil as you wish. Any remaining soil will be donated to a land in need of revitalization.

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How much soil does the Terramation process produce?

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Approximately 3/4 to 1 cubic yard of nutrient rich soil is created from the Terramation process. By weight, this represents about 500 pounds of earth.  The  entire amount of Terramated soil can be picked up, or shipped depending on a families wish. Any remaining soil will be donated to a land in need of revitalization.

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