Urban Death Project: Composting Our Loved Ones
SUMMARY: The Urban Death Project, a Seattle-based nonprofit, is developing a new model for death care in our cities that is replicable, scalable, and beneficial to the planet. This model - Recomposition - utilizes the process of composting to safely and gently turn our deceased into soil, creating a meaningful, equitable, and ecological option for the disposition of the dead. It is a solution to the overcrowding of city cemeteries and the unsustainable methods we currently use. It is also a new ritual for laying our loved ones to rest.
BIO: Cassandra Houghton is the Sustainability Ambassadors Student Leadership Coordinator. She is passionate about sustainable community development because she wants to help balance the needs of our environment, economy and society. Cassandra has been with the Sustainability Ambassadors since the fall of 2012 and is now part of the staff. She is currently tracking the number of green buildings in King County, managing the organization's website, and coordinating a team of 30 student Ambassadors. Her work is also focused on expanding and coordinating the Ambassadors internship program. Cassandra is also a student at The Evergreen State College where she is studying Ecology and Sustainable Systems. Cassandra loves hiking, dancing, juggling and gardening.
Links for Learning More:
The home page for the Urban Death Project: http://www.urbandeathproject.org/
Snappy 3:14 video on the story behind the Urban Death Project:
Seven options for a greener funeral: What exactly qualifies as a green funeral depends on who you ask and how high your standards are, but since modern funerals set the bar so low, you’ve got a lot of options. Here are just seven to consider: http://grist.org/sponsored/7-ways-to-greenify-your-funeral/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=weekly-static