Turning Remains Into Forest Soil | Annapolis News

Annapolis News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 28, 2026 · 1m

Earth Funeral just opened its first East Coast location in Maryland and is eyeing land on the Eastern Shore to turn human remains into compost for planting native forests — a bold, eco-conscious twist on legacy. While zoning permits allow it as agricultural use, state law bans using the compost for food or animal feed. CEO Tom Harries, inspired by “how can I become a tree?”, says each body yields 250–300 lbs of nutrient-rich soil, with families able to take some home — the rest nourishes conservation land. They plan to till it in annually, planting trees over 15 years, and intend to hold onto…