Martha Stewart Wants To Be A Human Compost After She Dies: 84-Year-Old Says, 'Coffin? No Way!'

Martha Stewart has been legendary for a reason, and her recent revelations are proving just that! The 84-year-old lifestyle coach and style icon dropped a bombshell during her recent podcast appearance, leaving viewers surprised, to say the least. She wants to skip the coffin entirely and become human compost on her own farm. Yes, Martha Stewart plans to return to the earth, literally.

‘I’m going to be composed’: Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart has built an empire on gardening, farming, and returning things to the earth and nature. During her recent appearance on the 50+ & Unfiltered podcast, she revealed her end-of-life plans in the most Martha way possible. When asked if she preferred to be buried or cremated, Stewart didn’t hesitate a bit when she said:

“Oh, I’m going to be composted.”

Speaking about her inspiration behind the decision, the Hope in the Water star revealed that she does the same for her horses on her farm in Katonah, New York. She has a pet cemetery on her property where her beloved animals are laid to rest, wrapped in white linen and lowered into a deep, peaceful grave. And when it’s her time, she wants to lie there, too. Martha revealed:

“When one of my horses dies, we dig a giant hole really deep in one of my fields — we have a pet cemetery — and the horse is wrapped in a clean white linen sheet and very carefully dropped down into this giant, lovely grave. I want to go there.”.

The host, taken aback by this unconventional burial choice, questioned whether such private composting methods are even legal. In her signature candor, the Bad Moms actress responded:

“Why not? It’s not going to hurt anyone. It’s my property… These coffin things and all that stuff? No way!”

What is human composting? Is it even legal?

While it may sound bizarre to some, human composting is indeed legal and has been sanctioned in seven states in the U.S. The process, also known as ‘natural organic reduction’ (NOR), ‘recomposition’, and ‘terramation’, is part of a growing shift towards green death care. Unlike conventional coffin burial or cremation, NOR is considered a low-carbon alternative that turns a body into usable soil in about 60 days.

Washington was the first state to legalise human composting in 2019, with Oregon, Colorado, Vermont, California, Nevada, and New York following suit. As interest in eco-friendly funerals continues to grow, more states are reportedly considering legalizing this practice, given its contribution to sustainability and cost-effectiveness. 

Image: The Seattle Times

What’s next for Martha Stewart?

At 84, Martha Stewart is thriving and doesn’t plan to slow down any time soon. The iconic TV personality, entrepreneur, and writer is also a hands-on grandmother of her two grandchildren, Jude and Truman. On the professional front, Stewart collaborated with dermatologist Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali to launch Elm Biosciences, a skincare line, in early August 2025, just after her 84th birthday. 

For Martha, age is just a number. While he has definitely planned her future soil residency, she is still active, with much more to live for. She still gardens, rides horses, hosts events, and occasionally breaks the internet with a thirst trap or two.

Martha Stewart is proving she can set a trend in just about anything, including her post-death plans, and honestly, we are not surprised!

Read Next: Golden Globe 2026: These Unexpected Nominees Have Made This Year's Biggest Snubs More Surprising

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Get App

AWESOME NEWS! Now you can download BollywoodShaadis app and never miss a story. Choose your device Android or IOS (Apple)