Leavewell FAQs

Enhanced organic reduction follows the natural principles of decomposition or composting.  The body along with a mix of natural raw materials (wood chips, hay and straw) is placed within a climate controlled sealed pods. This carefully controlled environment produces the optimal conditions for natural bacteria to perform natural organic reduction over a period of 5 -7 weeks.

Almost anyone can choose an EOR funeral with Leavewell although there are a few exceptions.  If a person has suffered with tuberculosis or CJD we can’t offer EOR.  If a patient has received chemotherapy/radiotherapy we have to wait until 2 weeks have passed before we can begin the process.

Once our first facility launches you can book a Leavewell funeral directly with us or via your local funeral director.

The first Leavewell facility will launch in Devon but we can accept bookings and arrange transport from anywhere in mainland England and Wales.  Transport is by electric ambulance where possible.

The Leavewell service will be available shortly.  Sign up to our newsletter on the home page to keep updated on our launch details.

Enhanced organic reduction does not require any fossil fuel, reducing the pressure on fossil fuel use and does not release any carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.  The potential reduction in carbon emissions for the UK is 128,000 metric tonnes per year or nearly 500,000 return flights from London to Rome.

As well as saving energy and reducing carbon emissions, EOR also produces a wonderfully rich soil product which is returned to earth to support new plant growth.

Our service will cost under £3000, significantly lower than an average traditional funeral which costs between £4000 and £5000.

Leavewell is based in the beautiful Devon countryside, a daily reminder of our connection with nature.

Yes, families can book a service before the process begins if they would like to gather together.  You can choose all aspects of the service, we are here to help and guide as much or as little as needed.

No, Leavewell uses the same documentation that is in place for a cremation.  This includes the following;

• The green death certificate or Form 6 if a post mortem has taken place.  You can obtain the green death certificate from the registry office or a Form 6 from the coroner’s office
• Form 1 application completed by the next of kin, we can provide you with this form
• Form 4 from your doctor (unless a Form 6 has been issued), we can contact your doctor for this

No, the decomposition process involves microorganisms only.

The process takes between 5-7 weeks.  Each body is different and decomposes to soil at it’s own rate but an average process takes 6 weeks.  After this process, artificial joints or other materials are removed for recycling or return to family.  Any skeletal remains are reduced and added back to the soil for the curing process which takes a further 6-8 weeks.

An average one cubic metre of soil is produced with each process.  The soil from each process is tested to ensure that pathogens have been removed and the pH level is optimal for plant growth.

The soil can be used in a range of situations including growing plants in your loved ones garden or to assist in environmental enrichment projects run by our partner organisations.

Yes you can, you will need to arrange suitable transport for collection of the soil and we can help with this if needed. 

Leavewell keeps an audited record of each process ensuring that we know the origin of each batch of soil.  This is essential not only for future regulation but also so that family and friends of the deceased person know the contribution that their process has made to the environment.

Over 60% of families would like to visit the area where the soil has been used which is an important factor when we choose our environmental partners.

Yes, you will be able to select from options that best match your or your loved one’s environmental interests.

No, the process is entirely organic and a person can only be dressed in our compostable sheet before beginning the process.

Unfortunately photos do not decompose but you can leave flowers and other organic items that can decompose along with your loved one.

There are crematorium operators offering cremation powered by electricity rather than gas.   The energy requirements and carbon emissions are higher than Enhanced Organic Reduction and there is no resulting soil product to benefit the environment.

Use our contact us form on the contact us page or home page to chat with a member of our team by email.  Enhanced organic reduction is a wonderful new opportunity and we need your feedback to ensure we’re communicating all of the information that you need.