Martha Stewart Wants to Be Composted — Here’s the Regulated Version of That Process

When Martha Stewart tells the world she wants to be composted, people listen.

On a recent episode of 50+ & Unfiltered, Stewart casually shared that she plans to skip burial and cremation entirely:

“Oh, I’m going to be composted. These coffin things and all that stuff? No way.”

Her comments instantly sparked a wave of curiosity, and a lot of questions, especially from people wondering whether they can choose the same option:

• Is human composting actually possible for the average person?
• Is human composting legal in my state?
• Is human composting available where I live?
• What does the human composting process look like when done professionally and safely?
• Can I pre-plan human composting for myself, the way Martha Stewart seems to have?

The short answer to all of these questions is yes.

Human composting, formally called "natural organic reduction" or "soil transformation", is real, regulated, and one of the fastest-growing funeral choices in America. It’s legal in a growing number of states, practiced in licensed facilities, and chosen for its environmental benefits, simplicity, and meaningful outcomes for families.

And even in states where the process is not yet legal, human composting may still be available from Earth Funeral. Earth Funeral arranges secure, professional transportation to one of our licensed Soil Transformation facilities in states where the process is permitted. This allows residents in non-NOR states to choose the same natural, sustainable option Martha Stewart is talking about, without waiting for legislation to catch up.

How Human Composting Works (The Regulated, Professional Version)

What Martha described, a simple, natural return to the earth, is the instinct behind human composting. The regulated version takes that intuition and turns it into a safe, licensed, environmentally controlled funeral process.

Here’s how Soil Transformation works in a professional facility:

1.  A Gentle, Natural Environment

The body is placed in a secure, reusable vessel surrounded by natural materials like wood chips, wildflowers, alfalfa, and straw. These materials mimic the forest floor, creating the same conditions nature uses to break down organic matter.

2. Natural Transformation Into Soil

Over time, the body and organic materials are gently transformed into nutrient-rich soil using the principles of nature. Inside the vessel is exactly what happens on the forest floor, just carefully accelerated and closely monitored. The process is fully enclosed, strictly regulated, and designed to produce a clean, safe, stable final material.

3. Soil Returned to Families

Families choose how much soil they’d like returned, which arrives in biodegradable containers. It can be used to pot or plant, spread, share, wear, keep for future memorials, or even mix with previous cremated remains. Any remaining soil is donated to local conservation projects that restore forests, wetlands, and natural habitats.

What Families Do With the Soil (And How It Reshapes Our Relationship With Death)

One of the reasons human composting resonates so deeply, including with someone like Martha Stewart,  is that it reframes what the end of life can feel like. Instead of finality, it offers continuity. Instead of something industrial, it becomes something living.

The soil itself changes how families relate to death, turning it into an act of returning, nourishing, and creating.

Unlike ashes, which are inert, or graves, which stay unchanged, memorial soil grows, evolves, and supports new life. Families describe it as grounding, comforting, and flexible, something they can use in a way that reflects their relationship.

Here are the most common ways families use Soil Transformation soil:

• Pot
  Families blend the soil into houseplants that grow and evolve over time. Each new leaf or bloom becomes a quiet continuation of the relationship.
• ‍Plant
  Roses, memorial trees, native wildflowers, garden beds — all nourished by the soil, creating living tributes that change with the seasons.
• Spread
  Some families take the soil to meaningful outdoor locations: a favorite hiking trail, backyard, coastline, or a place of deep personal significance.
• Share
  Because the soil is returned in biodegradable containers, families can easily share it with loved ones, allowing each person to honor the relationship in their own way.
• Wear
  A small portion of soil can be incorporated into memorial jewelry — rings, pendants, or lockets — creating a personal, portable connection.
• Keep
  Others keep a small amount at home for comfort, reflection, or future memorial projects.
• Mix
  Soil can be mixed with previous cremated remains or with the soil of other loved ones, creating unified family memorials.

How Human Composting Compares Environmentally

When Martha Stewart said, “These coffin things and all that stuff? No way,” she voiced what many people feel: traditional funeral options often don’t reflect modern environmental values.

Soil Transformation changes that. It offers one of the smallest environmental footprints of any end-of-life option.

Traditional Burial

• Requires steel, concrete, embalming chemicals, and land
• Introduces toxic chemicals into the environment
• Does not return nutrients to the ecosystem

Flame Cremation

• Uses fossil fuels
• Emits CO₂ and air pollutants
• Produces ash that cannot support plant life

Soil Transformation (Human Composting)

• No flame, no fossil fuels, no toxic chemicals
• Powered by principles of nature and renewable energy
• Produces nutrient-rich soil that restores forests, gardens, and conservation land

For people who want their final act to align with their environmental values, human composting offers a simple truth: your ending can help regenerate the earth.

Why and How You Can Pre-Plan a Human Composting Funeral

One of the biggest questions people had after hearing Martha Stewart say she wants to be composted was simple: “Can I plan this for myself?”

The answer is yes, and there are real benefits to pre-planning Soil Transformation.

1. You reduce emotional and practical burden on your family

Making decisions in advance means your family doesn’t have to navigate logistics, costs, or paperwork during a crisis. 

When arrangements aren’t clear, families are left trying to interpret your values at one of the hardest moments of their lives.

Pre-planning removes uncertainty and replaces it with clarity. It is often described as one of the greatest gifts you can give the people you love.

2. You get peace of mind now

People are often surprised by how comforting pre-planning feels. Instead of being morbid, it feels like completing something important, clearing mental space so you can focus on living. Many families describe it as a sense of relief, control, and alignment with their values.

3. You lock in the option you want and protect yourself from rising costs

If you care about sustainability, pre-planning ensures your final act reflects the life you lived and the values you held.

It also allows you to lock in pricing today. According to the National Funeral Directors Association’s (NFDA) 2023 Member General Price List Study, funeral costs have continued to rise over time, even if not as fast as inflation.

Pre-planning shields you from future increases and ensures your family won’t face unexpected financial decisions.

For Anyone Considering What Martha Is Considering

If Martha Stewart’s comments made you pause and think, “What would this look like for me? For my family?”  that curiosity is a wonderful place to start.

Exploring Soil Transformation doesn’t mean making a final decision today. It simply means understanding your options and imagining what a natural, gentle return to the earth could look like for the people you love.

Earth Funeral is the national leader in human composting services, offering licensed, regulated Soil Transformation to families across the country.

If you’re curious what this could look like for you or your family, you can create a personalized quote — it’s simple, takes just a few minutes, and gives you a clear picture of what’s available in your state.

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