End-of-Life Options | Life Source

When planning for end-of-life, many families are looking beyond tradition and convention and are asking: What aligns with my values? What impact does this have on the planet? What actually happens to the body? Rather than attempting to preserve the body, reduction acknowledges impermanence and supports a return to the earth. Terramation uses biology and time, aquamation uses water and alkalinity, and cremation uses heat and flame. While the methods differ, the intention is shared: to transform the body back into its elemental building blocks.

At their cores, terramation, aquamation, and cremation are all ways of accelerating nature’s processes. In the natural world, a body eventually returns to its basic elements through decomposition, weather, microbes, heat, and time (while these options accelerate nature’s timelines, natural burial and sea burial are options that follow nature’s timelines). Each of the reduction options guide a transformation, but each uses different conditions to speed up a process that would otherwise take years or decades.

Understanding these options through the lens of how they mimic and accelerate natural cycles can help clarify which path feels most aligned with your values, your priorities, and your sense of meaning at the end of life.

Terramation is a gentle, earth-centered process that mirrors natural decomposition in a controlled, indoor environment. Over time, the body is transformed into a regenerative, living soil that can return to the earth to nourish new life.Families may choose to donate this soil to conservation or urban greening projects, or share it with loved ones.

Legality of Terramation

Terramation is currently legal in a growing number of U.S. states, and the exact count is growing as legislation allows for it.

In California, terramation results in what is legally referred to as “reduced human remains.”

Timeframe for Terramation

Approximately 60–90 days

Environmental Considerations for Terramation

Organic materials used
(-) Alfalfa is often used in terramation and it is a water-intensive crop that raises regional water-use considerations.
(+) Organic materials that would otherwise be sent to landfills can be used in the terramation process. This is not a common practice, but one that terramation providers would disclose.

Bones from Terramation

Bones are reduced to a fine powder and fully integrated back into the soil, completing the return-to-earth cycle.

Space considerations for Terramation

Terramation facilities require significantly more space than cremation facilities due to the longer process timeline.

Final remains & scattering for Terramation

In California, reduced human remains may be:

Scattered at a cemetery
Placed on conservation land
Scattered on private property (with permission)
Scattered on public land with written authorization

Permanent storage options must be confirmed in advance. at this time California Health and Safety Code does not allow for the permanent storage of reduced (composted) human remains, like they do cremated or hydrolyzed remains.

Aquamation is a water-based reduction process that gently returns the body to its natural building blocks. Sometimes called water cremation, this method uses an alkaline solution and heated water to accelerate decomposition. Aquamation uses approximately 90% less energy than conventional cremation and produces no airborne emissions. The remaining elements can be responsibly returned to the environment.

Timeframe for Aquamation

Approximately 4–8 hours

Environmental Considerations for Aquamation

Energy use
Electricity required to heat water and operate the system
Energy demands for facility heating and cooling
Manufacturing impact
Environmental footprint associated with producing aquamation chambers
Resource Use
Hydrolysis uses approximately 400 gallons of water per person. This is roughly equal to 8 days water use for the average american

Bones from Aquamation Process

The bones remain after the process and they are dried, dehydrated, and ground into a fine powder. Because of a high salt content, they are also neutralized and safe for handling.

Final remains & scattering for Aquamation

The resulting remains are similar in appearance to cremated remains and follow the same scattering regulations.

Flame cremation remains a widely chosen option, and it can be made more sustainable through options like filtration and carbon offsets.

Our cremation partner operates the cleanest-burning cremation technology in Los Angeles and California, with a facility fully powered by renewable energy.

Timeframe for Cremation

Approximately 2–4 hours

Environmental Considerations for Cremation

Fossil fuel use
Natural gas extraction, refining, and combustion
Direct fuel use during the cremation process
Emissions
Air pollutants and particulate matter
Mercury emissions from dental fillings (a known neurotoxin)
Facilities
Energy use varies by provider and technology

Bones from Cremation Process

Bones are removed from the retort after cremation and mechanically reduced into a fine powder.

Final remains & scattering for Cremation

Cremated remains may be kept, buried, or scattered in accordance with California law.

< Older Post Newer Post >

Green Burial and Natural Burial: Are There Differences?

November 4, 2026

If you’re learning about green burial and natural burial, you may wonder if there are any differences between these terms. In most contexts, they mean the same thing: returning the body to the earth using biodegradable materials, without conventional embalming or a burial vault. Both allow for a simple return to nature, allowing the body to become part of the living landscape once again. The language can become confusing because “Green Burial” is sometimes used broadly to describe other options such as terramation (aka human composting) and aquamation (aka water cremation) . When discussing eco-friendly options that do not involve burying a body, “Green Funerals” or “Green Death Care” are more accurate terms. What is Natural Burial Natural burial is the practice of allowing the body to decompose naturally in the earth. With minimal intervention, the body’s nutrients return to the earth through the work of naturally occurring decomposition. Though practices vary by cemetery, you’ll generally see natural and green burial outlined as: Avoiding conventional embalming or toxic preservation fluids. Forgoing vaults or concrete liners. Using caskets or shrouds made of renewable, natural, & biodegradable materials. Choosing simple natural markers that complement the landscape. The surrounding landscape may look different from a conventional cemetery, too. In some natural burial grounds, native grasses, wildflowers, and trees take the place of meticulously manicured lawns. A natural burial can take place in: An uncertified natural burial ground or cemetery. A Green Burial Council-certified cemetery. A hybrid cemetery- a conventional cemetery that allows natural burial in dedicated sections. Private property burial may also be an option in some locations, depending on state and local requirements. In California, in limited rural areas, a small private or family cemetery can be established through strict licensing and approvals. You can learn more about establishing a private cemetery here. Is Green Burial Different from Natural Burial? In most cases, no. Both terms describe a full-body burial that allows for natural decomposition in the earth. The use of the term “natural” emphasizes the process of returning to the earth with limited intervention, while “green” emphasizes environmental considerations. The priorities go hand in hand: simpler burial materials and fewer interventions allow for a more eco-friendly and direct return to the earth. The key distinction here is the word burial. Aquamation, Cremation, and Terramation are not forms of burial, but dispositions that reduce the body with an alkaline solution, fire, or natural decomposition. They transform the body in a controlled environment before returning the resulting remains to the earth. Cremation and aquamation produce remains from bones, commonly called “ashes”, while terramation produces “soil” or compost (you’ll also hear the term reduced remains- we cover this in this post about terramation terminology here ). Families may choose to bury or scatter these remains, but this is a separate step. With natural and green burial, the body’s transformation takes place within the earth. Green Burial and Green Death Care You’ll see that “green burial” is occasionally used interchangeably with “green death care”. However, green death care is an umbrella term for environmentally conscious funeral options, and green and natural burial fall underneath this umbrella. Aquamation and terramation are separate processes that can also fall within green death care. Think of green death care as a broad spectrum- caring for someone after death while considering the resources used, materials left behind, and the impact on the environment. Green death care can encompass both disposition choices and individual practices, including: Natural or green burial. Aquamation (water cremation). Terramation (human composting). Full-body burial at sea using appropriate biodegradable materials. Choosing simpler, biodegradable funeral products. Avoiding conventional embalming or choosing less toxic body-care options when preparation is desired. Reducing the environmental impact of conventional services through changes in materials, transportation, or energy use. Supporting carbon-offset projects. What Does Green Burial Certification Mean? The Green Burial Council has different certification standards for cemeteries, funeral homes and products. Certification provides a framework for evaluating specific practices and helping families understand what a provider offers. For cemetery certification, cemeteries undergo an evaluation and are scored based on outlined criteria. It is important to note that the Green Burial Council does not conduct compliance checks after initial certification. Certification can help families find providers and compare their practices. However, Green Burial Council certification is voluntary and not required to arrange a natural burial. An uncertified cemetery may still allow a burial that follows natural burial practices. See a beautiful example of a Los Angeles’ family’s experience of natural burial here . LifeSource had the honor of guiding this family in preparing a natural burial for their loved one, Maria. LifeSource had the honor of guiding this family in preparing a natural burial for their loved one, Maria. Her wishes were inspired by the simplicity of Jewish burial traditions and the meaning she found in returning directly to the earth. Her story illustrates how natural burial can reflect both personal beliefs and a connection to nature. Considering Green or Natural Burial in Southern California? Whether you are planning ahead or caring for someone who has died, LifeSource can help you explore a return to the earth that reflects your values. Our team can explain natural burial arrangements, discuss available cemetery options, and help you understand each step. Exploring other paths? LifeSource offers the following dispositions: Terramation Aquamation Flame Cremation Burial at Sea Natural Burial (covered here)

Guided by Nature: Comparing Reduction Options and Their Impact

Terramation (Natural Organic Reduction or Human Composting)