After reading about Recompose and doing some research on the concept, the process and the company, my wife and I and our three daughters took the tour at their Seattle facility. We were impressed. We let it sit for a few months and, recently, put down a deposit and signed up for a monthly payment plan. What stands out in any and all of the interactions which we've had with Recompose staff is the care, consideration and genuine kindness which they have shown us. Their responses to our questions and requests come in almost as quickly as we push 'send' on an email, and they are comprehensive and caring at the same time. We're very comfortable with our decision and, while we've advised them that we don't plan on seeing them soon, they have assured us that, when we do, we will be in good hands. read more

I love how well things worked out with Recompose when my mom passed. They were very kind, very compassionate, very practical, and didn't feel greedy or like they were trying to upcharge us--unlike when my dad died and the traditional mortuary guy hated me because I said Dad didn't want an expensive urn (he was a Utah boy who hated fancy things--we ended up getting a lovely wooden urn from Amazon for like $40 instead of the ugly multi-hundred dollar one they were pushing). Recompose was so meaningful and stood in stark contrast to traditional, money-hungry offerings. They played music my mom had very carefully chosen as they put her body in, and that was really important to me because I wanted it to be as much like her wishes as possible. With Recompose, we know how fantastic they were with Mom, and it puts us at ease knowing our deaths are going to be handled ethically and kindly and responsibly by leaders in the movement for better death services. For myself and my partner, we also love the idea of the "Cedar Room," which is a special room where loved ones can interact with the body in an unstructured way before the process starts. There's also the option of a more traditional service room. Either way, you get the ability for people to put things like flowers in with the body, which again is very important to us. I combed through their website and offerings because thoughtfully planning my death is very comforting to me. I want to know what's going to happen. --- Here's the longer story: My partner and I chose Recompose because we wanted: 1) the things we love about a traditional Jewish, pinebox, straight into the ground with no embalming burial, 2) the ecofriendliness of a cemetery managed by a green company, because we don't want our bodies harming the Earth, 3) our remains to be returned to the Earth, which you cannot get with cremation, because even if you bury the cremains, the nutrients are all gone, 4) the ability for some of our remains to be distributed among friends and family, which is what we love about cremation, 5) we couldn't afford the traditional burial which is crazy expensive nowadays, 6) we wanted our bodies to go to actual use for the world, and Recompose lets you donate your remains to land trusts. Our family has 3 preneeds set up with Recompose so we are all set when we die and we know other people won't have to worry about it. My mom always hated cremation (she hated the idea of burning) and hated burial (she hated the idea of being deep underground). She really wanted her body to be able to be used for something and so she wanted her body to be donated to science (and it was a hard decision for her as she hated the fact that it would be cremated when they were done, but it was more important to her that her body be of use). Unfortunately there are actually a lot of steps that need to be taken before death to be donated to science, which my mom did not understand. After she died, we decided to go with Recompose for her too because her main wish was that her body not be wasted. It went towards healing land in Washington which is as close as we were legally allowed to get to keeping her wishes. My sister is going to go visit the land trust where hers went. Also, as I mentioned, she had her memorial service planned very carefully and we had Recompose play the song she said was most important and then we held a separate larger memorial service like she requested in her town. Mom had also said that if the "science place" returned us her ashes, we could scatter them at a state beach with my dad. There was no "science place" but we were able to take a small amount of her compost and scatter it there with my Dad's ashes to honor that wish as well. read more

I've had several really positive service experiences with Recompose and wanted to share the details in case they're of use to folks facing death care decisions. I am a huge fan of the industry shifting technology they've created and appreciate all the legislative advocacy work they've done to bring NOR to market, honestly I feel like they don't get enough credit for trailblazing in this space. I know they have been copied, but the knock offs are riding on their coat tails and don't offer the same breadth of services for all body types. I had a great experience setting up a preneed contract with them. Then my MIL grew gravely ill with little warning. I needed to setup a remains disposition plan before she died and Recompose was responsive, warm, and very helpful. They helped with everything from body pickup at the airport to getting the remains back to us. The small portion of remains we had returned were packaged in a loving and dignified manner that brought comfort to the family. I can't recommend them enough for being such a wonderful resource during a very trying time. read more

I'm a Precompose member, and it makes me feel so at ease that, when that day comes (hopefully very very far in the future!), I'll be treated with care, dignity, and compassion. Recompose's signup process was easy, thorough, and I think very cost-effective, considering they are a leader in this burgeoning and impactful industry. I had a few questions before I signed up for the Precompose program, and they were answered promptly and helpfully. Thank you, Recompose, for helping me figure out my end-of-life wishes in such a meaningful and sustainable way! read more

Six months have elapsed since Recompose botched my wife's ceremony, and that day is something I'm still struggling to reconcile. My wife, who died 36 years young to brain cancer, loved music. She got immense joy from all things music, be it singing, teaching or listening. My wife was a proud member of a local choir, and the focal point of her ceremony was supposed to feature music from this group. The entire musical program was marred by some technical glitch, a problem I noticed before the ceremony began. I relayed my concerns and was reassured the problem would be resolved. It wasn't. But that wasn't the only failure. The video recording of the ceremony was botched so badly it is unwatchable. Recompose had at least two weeks to prepare for this ceremony, and I was never given an explanation as to what happened. They offered to refund me the fee of the ceremony, for the paltry sum of around $300. If I could pursue legal action against Recompose for emotional distress, I would. I wish I could recall that day with bittersweet fondness, but I can't. It will forever be an unforgettable day-- for all the wrong reasons. read more

I'm not one to write extensive reviews but I thought it was worth sharing my experience for people who are skeptical: I have never used their services (which is a good thing - if you know what I mean) but I have every intention on making arrangements for when, inevitably, my time comes. I toured the facility in SODO, Seattle and everything was just perfect. 5 people from the staff were there during the tour, including Katrina, the founder. The tour was very informative but I was most delighted to talk to Carrie (their Marketing Director). She answered all of my questions throughly and when she didn't know the answers to some of my craziest questions, she at least entertained them. I also talked to Katrina, who is very approachable and thoughtful. We only had a 5 min conversation but I have much respect for what this person has done - Katrina's passion will revolutionize the way people think about Death. Their facility is quite interesting too - not somber or morbid like some other places. I think their business has a beautiful and honorable mission and just thinking about "becoming one" with Earth - quite literally- is truly an interesting philosophical proposition. read more

Unbelievable that this is, practically, the only place in the world that is providing scientifically advanced, spiritually guided, human composting. An amazing company, with an amazing vision and a potentially world-changing service. I felt comfortable and welcomed from the moment I stepped inside the contemporary and tasteful greeting area. Who has had that feeling before at a funeral home?! The staff are highly knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly committed to this exciting, new and much needed technology. I wish Recompose every success in this life -and death- changing endeavour. read more

I had been considering other human composting facilities and found the site visits were extremely insightful. The overall experience and flexibility offered by Recompose provided me the desired creative planning options. read more

Recompose is such a beautiful place to lay a loved one to rest; the thoughtful design is evocative of being in a forest and serves as a gentle, lovely reminder of our connection to the natural world. And I cannot say enough about the kindness, knowledge and generosity of the staff. Highly recommend. read more

They take their time and don't return calls in a timely manner. I wanted to use them ... so disappointed and they are the most expensive option. read more

Thoughtful, warm and inviting place. A meaningful and healthy connection to our last act that reframes our relationship to nature and supports a critical cultural shift. read more

We are so grateful to recompose for taking loving care of our father in his passing. The attention and love they shared in all aspects was breathtaking - we love that he is helping to regenerate this dear planet at Bell Mountain. read more

The composting choice we had through Recompose was just right for our family. My husband was an organic farmer and farm advisor. He knew that Compost is the basis for all healthy soils and crops. Having his body composted was his last gesture of love for the earth - giving all that remained of himself to encourage new life. read more

Death is a natural part of life and I have never been to a place that makes you feel more comfortable and at ease with that fact as Recompose. You must keep in mind that for now, they are located in a very industrial area, but don't let that deter you, just focus on what they are about, earth friendly, respectful human composting. The aesthetics of the outside and the inside of the building give such a calming energy, every aspect reminds you that by being there instead of a traditional funeral home, you are doing good for the environment, the earth and your fellow humans. The staff is wonderful, the atmosphere is genuinely serine and they explain the process so well that any reservations you may have had when you first considered human composting, will be gone. Anyone who has questioned whether they wanted to be buried in the traditional manner or even cremated, because of the effects it has on the planet, should absolutely contact Recompose to talk to them about human composting as your plan for when you or a loved one passes on. read more