Green-Wood Cemetery Turns to Human Composting

Historic Brooklyn cemetery tests new burial method to address space constraints

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, one of the nation's oldest cemeteries, is partnering with the German company Meine Erde to introduce "natural organic reduction" as an alternative burial method. The process involves placing the deceased in a sealed vessel with organic materials like clover, hay, and straw, allowing microbes to break down everything but the bones, which are then ground into compost. This move comes as cemeteries across the U.S. face a growing space shortage, with an expected increase in annual deaths from 3 million to 4 million over the next two decades.

Why it matters

The push for human composting as an alternative burial method has met resistance from some groups, but supporters argue that it's a practical solution to the looming space constraints facing cemeteries nationwide. Green-Wood Cemetery's adoption of this new process highlights the industry's need to adapt to changing demographics and environmental concerns.

The details

Green-Wood Cemetery is starting with 18 vessels for the natural organic reduction process. The sealed vessels are equipped to regulate airflow, temperature, and moisture, allowing microbes to break down the body and leave only the bones, which are then ground into compost. This method is part of the growing trend of "green burials" that aim to be more environmentally friendly than traditional burial practices.

  • Green-Wood Cemetery is partnering with Meine Erde to introduce the natural organic reduction process.
  • The U.S. is expected to see annual deaths increase from 3 million to 4 million over the next two decades.

The players

Green-Wood Cemetery

One of the nation's oldest cemeteries, located in Brooklyn, New York, that is testing human composting as an alternative burial method.

Meine Erde

A German company that is partnering with Green-Wood Cemetery to introduce the "natural organic reduction" process for human composting.

Meera Joshi

The president of Green-Wood Cemetery, who states that the cemetery will one day face a capacity issue for traditional burials and needs to explore alternative options.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We will one day come to a time when we won't have the capacity for traditional burials. But that doesn't mean we have to close our doors.”

— Meera Joshi, President, Green-Wood Cemetery (The Wall Street Journal)

What’s next

Green-Wood Cemetery plans to start with 18 vessels for the natural organic reduction process and monitor its effectiveness as an alternative burial method.

The takeaway

Green-Wood Cemetery's adoption of human composting highlights the growing need for the funeral industry to adapt to changing demographics and environmental concerns, as cemeteries across the U.S. face increasing space constraints for traditional burials.