COLORADO — Colorado is now one of three states where body composting is a legal form of burial and Sunday marked the first day of the laying out of composted remains. The family of Joey Poisson donated his remains to help restore the Colorado Burial Preserve.
Body composting was legalized in Colorado in September as an ecological method for burial. And Poisson was the first ever in Colorado to undergo the process.
“They were transformed, metamorphized into a rich soil that was spread out today,” said Ben Martin, the Natural Funeral life-cycle celebrant. “It’s a laying out ceremony.”
The ceremony tied in various elements of burial including Japanese and Native American traditions to not only honor Poisson but his choice as well.
“We built a cairn. It’s out milestone. Stacked stones that are milestones along the path which we are… our milestone today for body composting and the first one out is setting the trail for others to follow,” Martin said.
A choice that gives back, even in death.
“Conventional cemeteries require the use of an outer burial container. It’s also called a vault,” said Colorado Burial Preserve owner, Emily Miller. “This represents a huge expense for the family. And it also entirely encases the person in this impermeable protective structure. The remains might never be returned to earth.”
The Natural Funeral said from start to finish this is considered to be the most ecologically friendly method of burial.
“We’re not pouring toxic embalming fluids or anything that might be harmful to the earth. We’re really honoring the earth and saying ‘thank you’. Thank you, body. Thank you, Earth. Here’s some nourishment,” Martin said.
The owner of CBP said if a family still wanted a marked place to honor their loved ones, this method could also be special as well.
“Families can purchase a plot, enter all of the soil in one grave space. You can still have a headstone. The family could come back and view the thriving seeds growing, the blooming on their loved one’s soil,” Miller said.
CBP said they hope this method takes on so they can further restore the preserve.
