A large human composting facility has opened in Elkridge, Maryland, near Washington, D.C., according to Axios. Earth Funeral reports the site covers about 36,000 square feet and can process bodies in 56 composting vessels, wiht plans from CEO Tom Harries to expand and double capacity as the company grows nationwide.<\/p>\n

The article explains how human composting (also called \u201csoil transportation\u201d) works: bodies are placed in a vessel with organic materials to balance nitrogen and carbon and break down remains naturally. Earth Funeral says the process typically takes<\/a> around 45 days, costs under $6,000 on average, and families can keep or donate the resulting soil (about 300 pounds).<\/p>\n

It also notes that human composting is legal in 14 U.S. states, while Oklahoma came close but a bill to legalize it was vetoed by Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt. The piece includes criticism<\/a> from Oklahoma State Rep. Jim Shaw, who argues the practice is disrespectful and shouldn\u2019t treat people as products, while Earth Funeral responds that participation is meant to be a matter of consumer choice rather than a requirement. <\/p>\n