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As seen in the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Earth Funeral Brings Human Composting to Virginia
The Richmond Times-Dispatch
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April 10, 2026
The Richmond Times-Dispatch profiles Earth Funeral’s availability in Virginia, bringing human composting to families as a sustainable, soil-based alternative to burial and cremation.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch profiles Earth Funeral's expansion into Virginia, exploring the science behind natural organic reduction, the legal landscape, and the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly end-of-life options.
Reporter Sean Jones introduces Dave Buermeyer, a retired Air Force Colonel from Northern Virginia, who chose human composting while estate planning. Drawn to its ecological benefits and personal resonance, Buermeyer describes it simply: "It just feels like a more natural way to go. You're part of something that continues."
The article features Earth Funeral CEO Tom Harries explaining the origins of the company, and why he made the leap from cremation to soil transformation. After clients repeatedly asked, "How can I become a tree?", he recognized there was no scalable answer. "This became the obvious next venture," Harries said.
The coverage highlights Earth Funeral's Maryland facility expansion, slated to open later this year as the first human composting facility on the East Coast, which would eliminate long-distance transport for Virginia families and make the option more affordable and environmentally friendly.
The article also contextualizes the broader shift away from traditional burial, noting that cremation has climbed from 20% of U.S. deaths in the mid-1990's to roughly 60% today, with projections nearing 80% by 2045, and positions soil transformation as the natural next step.
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Takeaways
- Virginia Availability: Earth Funeral is now serving Virginia families, operating as a licensed funeral provider in the state.
- East Coast Facility: A Maryland facility is slated to open later this year, making it the first human composting facility on the East Coast and reducing transport costs for Mid-Atlantic families.
- How It Compares: Human composting is cost-comparable to cremation while offering richer ecological benefits. The process yields approximately 250 pounds of nutrient-rich soil that families can keep, scatter, or use in plantings.
- Growing Demand: With cremation projected to reach 80% of U.S. deaths by 2045, Earth Funeral positions soil transformation as the scalable third option families have been asking for.
- Legal Momentum: Human composting is now legal in more than a dozen states, including New York, Georgia, and Vermont, with momentum continuing to build on the East Coast.
Read the article on the Richmond Times-Dispatch
"It just feels like a more natural way to go. You're part of something that continues."
