Terramation · Natural organic reduction

An ending that becomes a beginning.

Terramation, also called natural organic reduction, gently transforms a body into living soil over a few weeks. It is the most natural goodbye we know how to give, and we are the only funeral home in Colorado that offers it, in our own care center, with our own hands.

How terramation works

  1. The laying-in

    Your person is placed in the Chrysalis™ vessel on a bed of wood chips, alfalfa, and straw. Families are welcome to take part in this ceremony, adding flowers, letters, and words of farewell.

  2. A gentle transformation

    Over several weeks, warmth, moisture, and naturally occurring microbes do quiet work, the same renewal that restores a forest floor. Nothing is forced, and nothing is hurried.

  3. Curing and rest

    The new soil rests and cures for about thirty days, becoming rich, stable, and full of life.

  4. A return to the earth

    Your family may receive the Regenerative Living Soil to enrich trees, gardens, and land that mattered to your person, or donate it to conservation land we work with.

A Chrysalis terramation vessel of blond pine, flanked by living plants and Colorado landscape paintings
A Chrysalis™ vessel at our Care Center

About the soil

Each terramation creates roughly half a cubic yard of rich, living soil, about sixteen five-gallon bags. Families often use it to plant a memorial tree, enrich a garden, or restore a corner of land their person loved. Whatever you choose, we help you plan it with care.

Colorado law asks two things of this soil, and we honor both: it is never sold, and it is not used to grow food for people. It is a gift back to the living land, not a product.

See it explained

Our short film walks through terramation step by step, plainly and reverently. It answers most of the questions families bring to us.

Read the plain-language guide
What is terramation?

Wondering if terramation is right for your family?

Ask us anything. Plain answers, plain pricing, and no pressure in any direction.