HOW would you like to be remembered when you have shuffled off this mortal coil - pushing up daisies takes on a whole new meaning in the US state of Washington now, where people can opt for composting.
Yes - that's turning the body into fertile soil within weeks by mixing it with wood chips and straw.
At the moment we have options such as classic burial, greener "natural burial" with no embalming, cremation, organ donation for medical research and recomposition which involves using heated water and alkaline substances to decompose and dissolve the body then dehydrating and returning the ashes to the family.
Washington's new laws are simply extending to humans what farmers have been doing for years with livestock, when they are no longer alive, that is, officials said.
The concept has given life to a company called Recompose.life.
Still on the less-than-lively topic of farewelling this cruel world, Australian euthanasia campaigner Philip Nitschke has created a "stylish" painless exit system that can be 3d printed, ready to release to countries in the world that legalise euthanasia.
Looking like a Star Trek escape module, the Sarco (short for Sarcophagus) will "allow rational adults the option of a peaceful, elective and lawful death in an elegant and stylish environment".
Just climb in, push a button, and nitrogen gives you your final sleep.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 27 May 19
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