Burials Zurich cantonal council wants to have composting of corpses examined
In the canton of Zurich, so-called re-interment, the composting of the deceased, may soon be tested. On Monday, the cantonal council supported an individual initiative by a citizen with 101 votes. 60 votes were required.
17.02.2025, 10:02
SDA
The issue of "re-earthing" will now go to the cantonal government, which will draw up a report on the subject. The cantonal council will then debate the issue again and decide whether such an attempt should be made.
In "re-earthing", the deceased are placed in a metal "cocoon" on a bed of straw, hay, herbs and flowers and also covered with the material. The microorganisms then decompose the body into soil within 40 days. All that remains are the bones, which are ground up and added to the new soil.
In Switzerland, the deceased currently only have the choice between burial and cremation. In Germany, "re-earthing" has been an issue for several years. However, it is currently only permitted in Schleswig-Holstein. The idea originally came from the USA.
