Breakdown Process: A body is placed in a pressurised vessel with a water and alkaline solution that is heated to boiling point. This process, combined with pressure, accelerates the breakdown over 4-6 hours, breaking down the body into liquid and bone fragments (Wilcox, 2022). The liquid is then safely disposed of through a sanitary sewer system, while the remaining bone fragments are dried and processed into an ash-like material that can be returned to the family. No body and no identifiable human DNA remains.

Memorialisation Options: 

• Scatter ashes in a meaningful location

• Keep ashes in an urn

• Create cremation keepsakes (e.g. diamonds, jewellery)

• Inter ashes in a Cemetery Plot or Lawn Garden

Estimated Cost: From AUD $3000-$4400+ or GBP £1,500-£2,200* (Alluvium, 2024)

Environmental Impact:

• Minimal carbon emissions compared to traditional burial or cremation as it uses less energy (Ferreira, 2016;Robinson, 2023)

• The liquid by-product (which is sterile) is usually discharged into water treatment systems, though this process has raised concerns about its potential impact on water quality and the environment. Ongoing research is being conducted to substantiate and address these concerns (Ferreira et al., 2016).

Embalming Compatible: Yes

Coffin Required: No

Breakdown Process: A body is placed in a coffin, and buried underground. The coffin and body slowly breaks down over 20+ years (Dent, 2002). A body and identifiable human DNA remains in the ground for the plot lease period (Wilson et al., 2007).

Memorialisation Options: A plot in a designated cemetery with a gravestone or plaque.

Average Cost: Burial ranges from AUD $7000 to $20,000+ or GBP £4,000 to £10,000+ (ACCC, 2021; Sun Life, 2024)

• Costs can vary widely by location and specific services (e.g. choice of coffin, plot location, head stone etc). 

Environmental Impact: 

• 97-800kg+ of carbon dioxide emissions per burial, with estimates varying due to factors like land use, coffin materials, monument choice, and cemetery maintenance (Keijzer, 2017; Scalenghe & Pantani, 2019)

• Leaching of chemicals like plastics, varnishes, and embalming fluids into groundwater (O'Keeffe, 2023)

• High land use, contributing to limited availability for other environmental or community uses (McManus, 2024)

Embalming Compatible: Yes

Coffin Required: Yes, though exceptions can be made with the proper permissions. This is why most people opt for a coffin.

Breakdown Process: A body is placed in a coffin and exposed to intense fire and heat within an incinerator for several hours, reducing it to charred bone fragments. These fragments are then crushed using a cremulator to create what are commonly referred to as ashes. No body and no identifiable human DNA remains (McKinley, 2000)

Memorialisation Options:

• Scatter ashes in a meaningful location

• Keep ashes in an urn

• Create cremation keepsakes (e.g. diamonds, jewellery)

• Inter ashes in a Cemetery Plot or Lawn Garden

Average Cost: From AUD $2000 to $7000+ or GBP £2,500 to £5,000+ (ACCC, 2021; Sun Life, 2024, AFDA, 2021)

Environmental Impact: 

• 210-400kg+ of carbon dioxide emissions per cremation (Keijzer, 2017)

• Release of toxic heavy metals, including mercury from dental fillings (González-Cardoso et al., 2020;O'Keeffe, 2020).

• Emission of harmful pollutants into the air (Mari & Domingo, 2010;Franco et al., 2022)

• The resulting ash has a high pH level and salt content, which can inhibit plant growth and may affect soil or water health when scattered (Robinson, 2023)

Embalming Compatible: Yes.

Coffin Required: Yes

Breakdown Process: A body is placed in a biodegradable coffin or shroud, and buried underground. The body and coffin breaks down over a period of 10-20 years (Pawlett et al., 2024).

Memorialisation Options: 

• Simple burial in a biodegradable coffin or shroud (Kelly, 2015)

• Plant a tree or garden on a burial site

• Use an existing natural burial ground or dedicated green cemetery

Estimated Cost: From AUD $3000-$8000+ or GBP £1,500-£4,000* (Robinson, 2023, ACCC, 2021; Sun Life, 2024, AFDA, 2021)

Environmental Impact:

• Minimal carbon emissions compared to traditional conventional burial or cremation (Davies & Rumble, 2012; Keijzer, 2017)

• Promotes a natural breakdown and integration into the soil, supporting local ecosystems (O'Keeffe, 2023)

• Use of land specifically for burial, which can limit other uses unless it's a dedicated conservation or mixed-use green space, such as a green cemetery.

• Embalming Compatible: No

Coffin Required: No

Breakdown Process: A body is placed in a sealed vessel on a bed of natural materials like hay and straw. Throughout the process, air circulation, moisture, and warmth are carefully controlled to support microbial activity, accelerating the natural breakdown process. Over the first 30-40 days, the body is reduced to bone fragments. These fragments are then crushed using a cremulator and returned to the vessel for another 30-60 days, where the transformation into earth is completed. By the end of the process, no body or identifiable human DNA remains.

• Different providers utilise varying levels of technology in the terramation process. Some approaches are more low-tech, while others employ advanced vessels equipped with monitoring systems to optimise the transformation. We are developing state-of-the-art technology that balances earth quality with safety and efficiency, ensuring a reliable and nature-positive outcome for both people and planet.

Memorialisation Options: Approximately 1 cubic metre of life giving earth is created which can nourish more than one living memorial.

1. Nourish or plant a tree or garden

2. Pot plants for home

3. Home gardens and properties

4. Contribute to environmental impact projects

5. Keep earth in one or multiple urns

6. Scatter a portion of earth in a meaningful location

7. Inter earth in a Cemetery Plot

Estimated Cost: We are aiming to price our services comparable to an average cremation. You can read more on our future pricing transparency here. 

• In the US, terramation costs AUD $7,500-+ or GBP £5000+ (Return Home, 2024; Recompose, 2024). 

• In Germany, terramation costs AUD $4800 or GBP £2400 (Meine Erde, 2024)

Environmental Impact: Carbon-neutral with the potential to be carbon-negative

• Terramation removes more carbon than it emits depending on how the earth is used. Early estimates suggest a minimum of 100-500kg of CO₂ sequestered per process (Lehmann & Joseph, 2015;Paustian et al., 2016). Read more about how this is possible here

• Revitalises ecosystems by supporting soil health, reforestation, and biodiversity through carbon farms and conservation projects (Griscom et al., 2017).

• Utilises land efficiently by nourishing existing green spaces, parks, and natural areas, providing both community and environmental benefits (Lal, 2020).

Embalming Compatible: No

Coffin Required: No