Becoming part of the earth: Human composting gently turns remains into soil

Micah Truman drove to Vancouver, a straight shot north on the I-5, with both hands on the steering wheel of a bright green Honda van, thinking about death.

That sunny day last September was his first trip to Canada to pick up human remains. He was nervous, but sure in his mission, more sure than he had ever been.

When Return Home was called to handle final arrangements for Jan Dizon, a Canadian whose body would have to be transported from Vancouver, Truman wanted to go himself.

Two years working with grieving families had changed him. This was not just business.

Dizon’s family is one of several in Canada that have reached out to Truman for terramation, a composting process that fulfils their loved ones’ final wishes to return to the earth in a way that does no harm.