In a world full of choicesāfrom what we eat to where we liveāour final body disposition is often one of the few decisions left entirely to tradition. But what if your last wishes don’t involve a velvet-lined casket or a standard urn?
The options for body disposition are evolving rapidly, offering ecological alternatives and highly personalized ceremonies. If you want to go your way, hereās a guide to understanding the old rules, the new options, and everything in between.
The New Menu of Body Disposition
While burial and cremation remain the most common choices, innovation and shifting values have brought several compelling, eco-conscious, and historical alternatives into the mainstream.
1. Water, Fire, and Earth: The Modern Choices for Body Disposition
| Method | Description | Key Considerations |
| Aquamation (Alkaline Hydrolysis) | Uses water, heat, and alkaline chemicals to dissolve the body. It leaves behind sterile liquid and bone fragments, which are then processed into ashes. | Eco-Friendly: Uses significantly less energy than cremation. Available in a growing number of states. |
| Natural Organic Reduction (NOR) / Human Composting | The body is placed in a vessel with organic materials (wood chips, straw) and gently rotated over 30ā60 days. It transforms the body into nutrient-rich soil. | Ecological Impact: Considered the most sustainable option; the resulting soil can be used to nourish forests or gardens. Currently only legal in a few pioneering states (WA, CO, OR, VT, CA, NY). |
| Funeral Pyre (Crestone, Colorado) | A rare, legal exception in the U.S. where an open-air pyre ceremony is allowed under specific conditions (Hindu and Buddhist traditions). Must be a resident of Crestone. | Highly Ceremonial: Extremely specific geographical and procedural requirements. Not a practical option for most. |
2. Traditional Methods (With Modern Twists)
- Burial: Still the classic option, but now often involves Green Burialāusing biodegradable shrouds or caskets, and skipping the vault and embalming chemicals entirely. Colorado Burial Preserve is first cemetery dedicated entirely to green burial in the state.
- Cremation: The most popular choice today, often chosen for its simplicity and flexibility in scattering or housing the remains.
š« “I Don’t Want to Be Embalmed” (Understanding the Rules)
If the thought of being treated with harsh chemicals (primarily formaldehyde) is against your wishes, you have the right to decline embalming.
The Rules for Refusal:
- Embalming is NOT legally required in most states. The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Funeral Rule (Complying with the Funeral Rule, FTC Publication, Pg 16) states that a funeral home cannot tell you that embalming is required by law.
- Waiver for Viewing: The only time embalming may be necessary is if you choose an open-casket viewing where the body must be preserved for an extended period. If you choose immediate cremation, burial, or a closed-casket service, embalming is almost always unnecessary.
- Cemetery Requirements: Some cemeteries require a body to be embalmed, including many of the National Cemeteries. Pikes Peak is one that does not. Evergreen and Fairview cemeteries in COS do not require embalming.
- Choosing Green: Declining embalming is a fundamental requirement of Green Burial. This choice not only eliminates the chemicals but also significantly reduces the overall cost of the funeral.
The takeaway: If you are pre-planning your disposition, make it clear that embalming is explicitly excluded unless a public viewing requires it. Proper cooling can make embalming unnecessary
š¬ So You Want to Donate Your Body to Science?
Body donation is the ultimate altruistic gift. Instead of being buried or cremated, your entire body (or specific organs) helps train the next generation of doctors, surgeons, and researchers. A body disposition choice that gives back to the world.
When choosing to donate to science you need to be specific what you want done with your body ie. Cancer research only; or the organization can use the body as they want.
Key Considerations for Donation:
- Advance Planning is Essential: You must register with a specific program (usually through a university or a private organization) well in advance.
- Exclusions Apply: Most programs will reject bodies if they are:
- Obese (over a certain BMI).
- Diagnosed with highly contagious diseases (HIV, Hepatitis, active COVID-19).
- Autopsied prior to donation.
- Cost: Generally, the institution covers the costs associated with donation, including transportation and final cremation. The cremated remains are often returned to the family after a period (usually 1ā3 years), or you can request that they be interred by the program.
- No Guarantees: Even if you are registered, the program has the right to decline the body at the time of death based on medical condition or current research needs. Always have a clear backup plan in place (like simple cremation or burial).
Final Thoughts for Going Your Way
The most important step is documentation. No matter which choice you makeāfrom natural reduction to body donationāensure your wishes are clearly outlined in your legal documents.
This is your final choice, and it should be one that reflects your values, your environmental commitments, and your individual way of going.
Need help documenting your final wishes? Contact us about end of life planning to ensure your plans are respected.
