Life After Death Planning

Dennis Cunningham, famed civil rights lawyer, recently died of cancer. He was best known for advocacy on behalf of the Black Panthers and Attica prison inmates. Cunningham was also a devoted environmentalist. He wanted his body to be recycled. He instructed his children to have him composted after he died.

Some refer to the composting process as natural organic reduction. The process places the washed body in a biodegradable shroud. Toxic parts such as dental implants must be removed. The body is then put in a vessel with mulch and woodchips. Some add straw, alfalfa, and wildflowers. The body and materials remain at elevated temperature in a vessel for 45 days until a roughly cubic yard of soil is created. The process is far more eco-friendly than cremation or traditional burial.

Families decide how much soil they would like to keep. Families often use this compost to plant a tree, creating a sacred place to remember loved ones. The rest is often used for land restoration projects.

Objections have come from religious groups. Catholic and Jewish groups object to the process as the process degrades the sacredness of a body. Others argue that the process dignifies the end-of-life process by giving the body one last usefulness.

Human composting is now legal in eight states as of April 2024 when Arizona passed legislation to permit the process. Many other states are considering similar legislation.

Lawyers can now plan to achieve life after death for their clients. All you need to do is add “human composting” to your documents.

Evan J. Krame