Returning to the Earth: Terramation and Green Burials

About Our Speaker
Dr. Graham Austin is a Professor of Marketing at Montana State University, where she also serves as the Associate Provost for Academic Outreach & Engagement. Dr. Austin’s research emphasizes “strategic empathy,” i.e., developing solutions for real-world problems in individual- and community-centered ways. She works to help decision-makers prioritize people’s perspectives, experiences, and behaviors in both research and practical settings. As an avid home composter, when she learned about terramation, she was immediately captivated by the idea. Considering opening her own terramation facility, she has earned an A.A.S. in mortuary science while working as an intern at Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service in 2024-2025.

About the Topic: 

I’ll talk about the science and process of composting human remains. I’ll discuss the ways in which terramation differs from traditional (embalmed) burial, green burial, flame cremation practices, and “water cremation.” I’ll talk about its legal status, which varies by state – where it’s actually being practiced, where it’s legal but no facilities exist yet, and where legislation is pending.