Earth Funeral has opened the largest human composting facility in the world in Elkridge, Howard County, Maryland. This facility, the company's first on the East Coast, can process up to 2,000 remains annually. The operation follows Maryland's legalization of natural organic reduction, a method that transforms human remains into nutrient-rich soil in about 30 days. The process involves wrapping remains in a biodegradable shroud and placing them in a vessel filled with organic materials like mulch and wood chips. At the end of the decomposition process, any inorganic materials are removed, and the bones are ground down to a fine powder. Founded in 2020, Earth Funeral has invested $15 million to refine this method, which allows families to keep a living connection with their loved ones by using the soil for planting. The facility aims to contribute positively to the environment by helping restore forests and sequester carbon. Located at 6955 San Tomas Rd., it also has branches in Washington and Nevada.