Terramation (or natural organic reduction) is the process of gently transforming a loved one’s body into life-giving soil. This occurs in four steps:

Laying In - The laying in service allows families to bid a loved one farewell in person or virtually. The body is placed in a vessel filled with straw, alfalfa, and sawdust, which is where the terramation process will take place. If the family wishes, they can personalize the vessel, both inside and out. 

Terramation - Once the body is placed, the vessel in closed and oxygen flows through the vessel, stimulating naturally-occurring microbes. Over the next 30-40 days, these microbes transform the body into soil. 

Resting - Once the soil is screened for inorganics, it is placed in a cube to rest and cool for another 30 days. 

Completion - After the life-giving soil is ready, it will be returned to the family or scattered where it can benefit the local ecosystem. 

Straw insulates the vessel, alfalfa feeds the microbes, and sawdust absorbs any water created throughout the process.

By partnering with Return Home, a premier provider of terramation, Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service’s staff completed the certifications needed to offer terramation as an option to families.

Return Home is a company based out of Seattle that focuses on terramation (or natural organic reduction). As winners of the 2022 and 2024 National Funeral Directors Association’s “Best of the Best” Award, Return Home is praised in the funeral industry for their innovation and commitment to excellence. You can read more about Return Home on their website, www.returnhome.com.

Absolutely! Simply contact us to discuss and record your funeral wishes, and our expert team will help you set everything in place.