As seen in the Chicago Tribune: Human composting offers an environmentally friendly end

Human composting is available in Illinois as Earth Funeral expands its services to the Midwest, offering families a new, environmentally conscious alternative to burial and cremation.

‍“For our family, it mattered that this choice reflected who my dad was and what he cared about,” said Mark Specht, the son of Gerald Specht, whose family chose soil transformation with Earth Funeral.

The Chicago Tribune profiles Illinois families who have chosen soil transformation for their loved ones, highlighting the growing demand for sustainable end-of-life options in the Midwest.

The coverage includes perspectives from families who have chosen soil transformation, also known as "natural organic reduction," or "NOR," illustrating how human composting can offer both environmental benefits and a more personal, meaningful way to honor a loved one’s life.

Reporter Adriana Perez tells the deeply personal story of Gerald Specht. His family honored his handwritten wish for soil transformation by working with Earth Funeral. His son, Mark, describes the choice as "very in line with who my dad was," given Gerald's lifelong connection to gardening and farming.

The article also features Mike Nowak, whose partner Kathleen Thompson passed in December 2024. When he learned her soil transformation would take place on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, where the couple had kept a vacation home for 17 years, he saw it as meant to be. "It's hard to describe, because it was paradise to us," Nowak recalls.

"The idea of being gently transformed into soil and returned to nature resonates with a lot of people on a personal level," said Earth Funeral CEO Tom Harries. "This is exactly what would happen on the forest floor, but we are accelerating it through science and technology."

The article also highlights Earth Funeral’s expansion to Illinois, positioning soil transformation within the broader shift toward eco-friendly death care and legacy-focused end-of-life planning.

The coverage reflects increasing consumer demand among Illinois families in end-of-life options that align with their environmental values while providing dignity, transparency, and care.