NEW END-OF-LIFE OPTIONS
Aquamation and Human Composting
When we assist clients with planning for end-of-life decisions in an Advance Health Care Directive, we present the two most common and traditional options — burial or cremation — and we ask which they prefer. It’s a personal decision, and our clients have different reasons for preferring one over the other. However, more clients are now inquiring about alternatives due to the high costs of burial (which can exceed $15,000) and the environmental impact of both burial and cremation. Cremation requires the use of fossil fuels and produces carbon dioxide emissions, while burial involves chemicals to embalm the body, which can leak into the soil, and the use of non-biodegradable coffins. Consequently, new options are developing for those that don’t prefer either of the traditional options. These options purport to be both cost-friendly and gentler on the environment. Aquamation, also known as water cremation or alkaline hydrolysis, is now legal and available in California. This water-based process reduces the remains to dust or ash without burning, thus eliminating toxic emissions. The body is placed in a pressurized metal cylinder containing water and a powerful alkali,
such as potassium hydroxide. This solution is heated to approximately 200-300 degrees F, and the body remains immersed for three to four hours. The cost of aquamation ranges from about $3,000 to $9,000, depending on the facility and additional services elected. Another emerging alternative is human composting, formally known as natural organic reduction. This process transforms the body into nutrient-dense soil, which can then be used to fertilize plants or grow a tree. Human composting costs between $5,000 and $7,000, which is comparable to the price of cremation. Human composting will be authorized by law in California starting January 2027. However, this option is currently offered in other states, and many families choose to ship the bodies to these states to utilize this eco-friendly alternative (although this adds to the expense). Remember, the choice is entirely yours—no option is inherently best. It all depends on your personal preferences and wishes. The best thing you can do is discuss your wishes with your Advance Health Care agent to ensure they understand them and keep them updated if your wishes evolve.
... continued from Cover
of the Grand Canyon. Being a kid today is different from when I was growing up, and it warms my heart to know they could share the same appreciation. This trip offered a unique kind of fun without electronics or a set-in- stone agenda. It was all about connecting with nature, exploring history, and being present with each other — a family tradition that I was proud to pass down. There’s something to be said about putting everything else aside and truly being present in the moment. Sometimes, you have to train your brain to slow down and focus on the beauty in front of you. As we stood at the rim as a family, taking in the view, we were surrounded by many other tourists coming and going. One of the kids spotted a goat standing on the edge of a ledge jetting out over the canyon for about a half hour, just taking in the view. But here’s the thing — not one of the people passing by the spot where
we sat noticed the goat until we pointed it out to be sure they saw it. It was a proud parent moment for me — I reveled in how neat it was that my kids were present in the moment and catching things that others were missing as they stopped, took a photo, and moved on. Although there’s no point in fighting the times, it’s important to occasionally disconnect from our devices to connect with the people and beauty around us. Sometimes, there is so much that we miss while deeply connected with technology and the hustle and bustle of daily life. During this trip of a lifetime, once we allowed ourselves to let go and disconnect, we found ourselves connecting more deeply as a family and with the breathtaking surroundings we were exploring. –Jennifer Knight
three of the kids let out an audible gasp. Eyes wide, mouths gaping open, looks of complete awe, I could tell they “got it.” It was so much more beautiful than they could have anticipated, and my eyes welled with liquid pride. They thought the Grand Canyon was “so cool,” and I could barely pull them away from the rim even when it was time to head over to the restaurant for our dinner reservation. After dinner, we took a sunset tour and sat on the ledge, watching the sunset for an hour and a half, completely unplugged. After snapping a few photos, the kids put their phones away on their own. There was no complaining; they were genuinely content soaking up the beauty without any signs of boredom.
It was amazing to see how much they truly embraced and genuinely enjoyed the beauty
2 PrestonEstatePlanning.com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator