"What Happens to the Bones?” and Other Common Questions About Human Composting

When learning about soil transformation, also known as human composting or natural organic reduction, many people naturally have questions about what happens during the process.

Every day, families ask us:

• “What happens to the bones?”
• “What about gold teeth, fillings, or implants?”
• “What happens to pacemakers, prosthetics, or surgical devices?”
• “Can someone who’s an organ donor still choose soil transformation?”
  

These questions come from care and curiosity. Here’s what truly happens during the 30–45 day soil transformation process, and how every part of the body is treated with care, respect, and environmental responsibility.

What Happens to the Bones?

Bones are naturally biodegradable, but the process is slow. By the end of the 30–45 day process, bones don't fully break down on their own. The bones are then reduced to a fine powder by equipment. Our team describes it as “smooth, light, and similar to beach sand.”

That bone material is then added to the final, nutrient-rich soil that’s returned to your family.

What Happens to Teeth and Dental Fillings?

Teeth behave much like bones. They don’t fully break down during the soil transformation process and are reduced to a fine powder that’s added back into the soil.

Dental fillings, however, are different. Because they’re made from inorganic materials like gold, porcelain, or amalgam, they don’t break down naturally.

During Earth Funeral's finishing process, all dental fillings and metal fragments are carefully separated and recycled through responsible recovery partners.

What’s returned to your family is pure, nutrient-rich soil that’s free of any nonorganic materials.

What Happens to Medical Devices, Implants, and Prosthetics?

Many people wonder about pacemakers, surgical implants, prosthetic limbs, or joint replacements. These devices don’t interfere with the soil transformation process. After the 30–45 day cycle, our team gently sifts the soil to remove any remaining inorganic materials, including:

• Pacemakers and defibrillators
  
• Hip and knee replacements
  
• Titanium plates, screws, and rods
  
• Dental implants
  
• Prosthetic joints or artificial limbs
  
• Any other medical or surgical implants

All of these items are safely recycled or responsibly disposed of. They do not become part of the soil.

Every step follows strict environmental and funeral care regulations, ensuring safety, compliance, and dignity.

If you have questions about a specific implant or medical condition, our Care Advisors can guide you through the details of your individual plan.

What if I'm an Organ Donor or a Body Donor?

Many families ask whether organ donors or those who’ve donated their bodies to science can still choose soil transformation.

The short answer: yes, in most cases.

If organs are donated, the body can still undergo soil transformation afterward. Earth Funeral coordinates with hospitals and organ recovery agencies to ensure the process remains seamless and respectful.

For full body donation to research or education, eligibility depends on the medical institution’s program. Once studies are complete, Earth Funeral can often receive the remains for soil transformation.

If you’re an organ or body donor and wish to choose soil transformation later, our team can help coordinate the necessary steps and paperwork.

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What Happens to Joint Replacements After Composting?

Joint replacements, such as hips, knees, and shoulders, are made from titanium or other durable alloys that don’t decompose naturally.

At the end of the process, these are carefully recovered and recycled through medical metal reclamation programs. These materials are not in the soil sent to families.

Can You Add a Memento or Ashes During the Process?

You may include biodegradable items such as flowers, letters, or written notes within the vessel. These will naturally decompose and become part of the final soil.

Inorganic materials like jewelry, photo frames, or plastic items should stay at home.

Ashes of loved ones or pets can be added after you receive your soil, but not during the transformation process itself.

What Does the Final Soil Look Like?

After 30–45 days, once all nonorganic materials are removed, the result is about one cubic yard of nutrient-rich soil, roughly 300 pounds.

It looks and feels like high-quality compost: dark, earthy, and ready to support new life. Many families describe it as “beautiful, soft, and alive.”

Each family typically receives five 32 fl oz biodegradable containers of soil.

You can:

• Spread it in a meaningful place
  
• Use it to nourish a favorite plant or tree
  
• Share it with loved ones

For more ideas, read our How to Use Your Soil Guide.

Understanding the Soil Transformation Process

Earth Funeral is America’s largest provider of soil transformation. Our process uses the principles of nature to turn a body into soil safely and gently.

Through our proprietary vessel technology, we balance carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and water while maintaining optimal heat and moisture levels. These conditions activate naturally occurring microbes that break down the body on a molecular level.

The result is living soil that supports ecosystems, restores landscapes, and continues the cycle of renewal.

Healthy soil filters water, nourishes plants, sequesters carbon, and helps regulate global temperatures. It is one of nature’s most powerful agents of healing.

Continuing the Conversation

At Earth Funeral, we believe that transparency builds trust. Questions like “What happens to the bones?” or “What happens to pacemakers?” are not just scientific; they are deeply human.

By understanding how the process works, families can feel confident that every step is carried out with integrity, compassion, and care.

We invite you to learn more:

• Watch lasting legacies - Stories from real families who chose Earth Funeral
• Read our reports - Environmental impact research, funeral pre-planning, and more‍
• Create a personalized quote - Get pricing and service details tailored to your needs