Return Home - Human Composting
Transforming
End-of-Life Care
Transforming End-of-Life Care
Redefining death care through the highest level of family service and terramation, or “human composting”—a gentle process that returns loved ones to the earth as nutrient-rich soil.
What is Terramation
Making Our Last Act One that Gives Back
Return Home exists to ensure families have access to gentle, inclusive, and transparent death care that continues the cycle of life. Our terramation (human composting or body composting) process gently transforms human remains into life-giving soil using only alfalfa, straw, and sawdust.
Featured On
Why We're Different
Why Choose Return Home for Human Composting?
Return Home Terramation (Human Composting) Services
Get Started With Terramation
As a full-service green funeral home, Return Home offers immediate need and pre-need (pre-planning) human composting services. We have the option to have an in-person or online laying-in service where friends and family can be part of the laying-in of their loved one. We serve families in all 50 U.S. states and Canada.
Immediate Need
If you need immediate assistance, please call us at (206) 888-HOME. We are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you.
Pre-Planning
Plan ahead with our Terramation pre-planning program. Click the button below to learn more about how pre-planning works.
Our HUman Composting Facility
The Terramation Center
Return Home built and operates the world’s first large-scale Terramation (NOR or Human Composting) center. With 74 custom-designed vessels, our unique process uses considerably less energy than burial or cremation and allows for intimate personalization by each family. We encourage you to visit your loved one’s vessel during the first 30-60 days of the process.
The Terramation (Human Composting) Process
How our process works
Our terramation process (also known as human composting, natural organic reduction, or body composting) gently transforms the human body into life-giving soil using alfalfa, straw, sawdust and time. Learn about our process below.
Laying In
Our laying in service allows families to bid their loved ones farewell in person or virtually while also adorning them with items that show love and celebrate their memory.
Terramation
Oxygen flows through the vessel which stimulates microbes in the body. These microbes rapidly transform the body into soil in just 30 days.
Resting
The soil is screened for inorganics and placed into a cube to rest and cool for the next 30 days.
Life Grows On
Beautiful life giving soil is ready to Return Home or to be scattered at The Woodland.
Revitalizing local ecosystems
The Woodland
Our 8 acre woodland area is a dedicated space for the scattering of Terramated remains to revitalize local flora and continue the cycle of life.
Getting Started
How To Get Started
I'm In
Immediate Need
If you need immediate assistance, please call us at (206) 888-HOME. We are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you.
I Want To
Pre-Plan
Schedule a call with one of our pre-planning specialists. They will guide you through the pre-planning process from start to finish.
I Want To
Learn More
Want to learn more about Terramation and Return Home? Sign up to our newsletter to receive your FREE Terramation Guide!
I Want To Join
The Movement
We're on a mission to make Terramation accessible around the world! Learn more about the IdRatherBeCompost Movement!