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Your next steps with Earth

We're grateful you've chosen Earth to care for your loved one. This process honors their life while creating something beautiful and lasting: soil that renews the earth and sustains future growth.

With Earth, you’ll have a dedicated licensed professional that you’ll hear from soon. They’ll be with you every step of the way, from the moment we bring your loved one into our care, through the return of the soil. If you need support in the meantime, call us at (877) 327-4109 or email care@earthfuneral.com.

— The Earth Team

A tree by a river in the Sierra Riverlands

When you
are ready

When the time comes, have an authorized person call us at (877) 327-4109.

An “authorized person” is someone legally allowed to declare someone as having passed, such as a healthcare worker, first responder, law enforcement, fire department, or coroner/medical examiner staff.

Once we receive proper authorization, we'll coordinate transportation to bring your loved one into our care. We'll handle everything from there.

What's next:

Documents and Brochures from Earth Funeral.

Care questionnaire

When you sign up for arrangements, you will be emailed a questionnaire. It provides us with what we need to complete the death certificate and proceed with the soil transformation.

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A laptop computer with an Earth Funeral Obituary open on it

The Family Portal

Once your loved one has passed, you will have access to the Family Portal: there, you can track the progress and even create and share an online obituary.
An Earth soil container sitting on a bed of leaves.

Returning the soil

Once the soil transformation process is complete, the soil will be returned. See our guide for tips on how to use this soil.
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Who needs to call to arrange transport?

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A person who is legally authorized to declare someone as having passed, such as a healthcare worker, first responder, or coroner/medical examiner staff, must make the call to Earth to request transport.

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Do I need to fill out a questionnaire, and who is responsible for completing it?

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Yes, completing the questionnaire is a necessary step. Whomever made arrangements with Earth will have received an email with a link to the questionnaire. If they are not the next of kin, they can still complete the questionnaire but they will need to list the next of kin's contact details.

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How is the Social Security Administration (SSA) notified?

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When we create the death certificate using the deceased's SSN, the state's death registration system automatically notifies the SSA and Medicare to stop future payments. If you need assistance with anything beyond stopping payments, you will still need to contact the SSA directly.

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How long does it take to get the death certificates?

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It takes about a week for the death certificate to be registered. We cannot place an order until it is registered. If you asked us to order them for you, your family can expect to receive them by mail approximately 2.5 weeks after the registration is complete.

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Will there be a wait for the vessel?

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There may occasionally be a wait for the vessel. This does not delay your loved one entering our care, as we have secure, climate controlled environments at all our funeral homes. Your funeral director will communicate any significant wait beyond the normal time needed for paperwork andtransport.

More resources

Explore guides to help you plan, share your decision with loved ones, and understand what comes next. You can see all of our reports here.

How to Use Your Soil

Discover meaningful ways to memorialize your loved one with nutrient-rich soil created through natural transformation. From planting memorial gardens to creating keepsake jewelry, this guide shares eight heartfelt approaches families use to continue their connection—each as unique as the bond you shared.

Read the report
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Intro to soil transformation

This guide details the 45-day soil transformation process—from gentle preparation in a biodegradable shroud through the natural work of microbes breaking everything down at the molecular level.

You'll learn how the resulting nutrient-rich soil can be used to memorialize your loved one through planting memorial gardens or spreading in meaningful places, or donated to support vital land conservation and reforestation efforts.

Read the report
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“Returning our bodies to the earth in a peaceful, gentle, natural process is one of the most powerful yet relaxing decisions we have ever made.

We feel assured that this all important final step is in excellent hands, and our family can be confident that our final resting place will be part of both restoration and timeless beauty.”
– Ruth M., Lewis County WA

You've made a beautiful choice

You've chosen something meaningful—a way to give back to the earth that's sustained us all. Sharing your decision with friends and family can open beautiful conversations about legacy, the environment, and what really matters at the end of life.

See our Conversations Guide for tips on talking to others about soil transformation, and follow us on Facebook, YouTube, or LinkedIn to stay in touch.

A leafy tree from our conservation partner in the Sierra Riverlands.