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Rhode Island
Is human composting coming to R.I. soon? – The Boston Globe
PROVIDENCE — Rhode Islanders now have two main options when they die: traditional burial or cremation. But on the Rhode Island Report podcast, state Representative Michelle E. McGaw, a Portsmouth Democrat, detailed a third option: natural organic reduction of dead bodies, or human composting.
“I see this as a greener alternative,” McGaw said, explaining that traditional burial involves toxic chemicals and takes up increasingly scare open space, while cremation involves fossil fuels and produces significant carbon emissions. “For somebody who’s lived their life trying to foster the planet and the Earth around them,” she said, “this provides them with a different option.”
How does it work?
“The body, after death, is put into a large vessel and you add nutrients,” McGaw said. “So you might add some woodchips or some straw and some microbes, and it’s placed into the vessel. It’s sealed up and over time it decomposes similar to what would happen in the Earth, but it just happens at a faster rate.”
You end up with about a cubic yard of soil, she said.
In June, the House voted 51 to 21 for McGaw’s bill to legalize human composting in Rhode Island. The bill drew vehement opposition, enthusiastic support, and more than a few questions from perplexed legislators. While it passed in the House, the legislation never came to a vote in the Senate.
During the House debate, Representative Charlene M. Lima, a Cranston Democrat, opposed the bill, saying, “You will be sending a clear philosophical and religious message to your constituents on the value you place on human remains. You will be telling everyone that you, in this House view human remains as nothing more than any other form of refuge that we discard daily.”
On the podcast, McGaw said her response is that the state contains a diversity of religious beliefs. “And so while I respect her concerns and her religious values, I also understand that not everyone in Rhode Island shares the values that she has,” she said. “I also see this as a way to ultimately respect a person’s wishes when they pass.”
The bill drew support from legislators such as Representative Camille F.J. Vella-Wilkinson, a Warwick Democrat.
“We are not talking about turning people into ‘Soylent Green,’” Vella-Wilkinson said on the House floor. “We’re talking about people having a choice. This says to Rhode Island that your legislators really are willing to think outside of the box. “
McGaw said, “In a lot of my conversations with my colleagues, they were very receptive to the idea of just allowing their constituents to have an alternative.”
If the bill had become law, Rhode Island would have been the ninth state to allow human composting, she said. She plans to introduce the legislation again next year.
“I think we need to listen to our constituents and be responsive to the types of choices they’re looking for,” McGaw said. “We’re going to start seeing this across the country.”
She said some funeral homes have suggested she broaden the proposal to include alkaline hydrolysis, which she described as a water cremation process. Legislation introduced in Massachusetts has included both human composting and alkaline hydrolysis.
McGaw said she isn’t just introducing the legislation — she’s hoping to use the process herself.
“My husband and I have discussed this,” she said. “We are both avid fans and would love for this to be available to us when we pass.”
To get the latest episode each week, follow Rhode Island Report podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcasting platforms, or listen in the player above.
Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at edward.fitzpatrick@globe.com. Follow him @FitzProv.
Why is the flag at half staff? These are possible reasons
The flag of the United States of America is flown at half-staff on several occasions, generally marking that the country is in mourning
On Friday, May 15, flags will be flown at half-staff across the United States to commemorate Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Recognized each year since 1962 as part of May’s National Police Week, the national observance pays tribute to United States law enforcement officials who gave their lives in the line of duty, whether at the local, state or federal level.
“United in gratitude, we recommit ourselves to supporting those who keep the peace in our neighborhoods, and we offer our heartfelt appreciation for the service they render to community and country,” reads a proclamation from President Trump. “Their steady presence brings calm to our streets, their dedication preserves the order that allows our Nation to flourish, and their unwavering vigilance is the reason families across America can rest under the promise of a safer tomorrow.”
In memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, the flag of the United States at all public buildings and grounds across the country and its territories – including in Rhode Island – will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, May 15.
Why are flags flown at half-staff?
According to the official website of the U.S. General Services Administration, flags typically fly at half-staff when the country or specific state is in mourning. Observances include national tragedies, days of remembrance and deaths of government or military personnel.
The president, the state governor or the mayor of Washington, D.C., can order flags to fly at half-staff.
Half-staff vs. half-mast
While half-staff refers to lowered flags on land, half-mast refers to those at sea. Both refer to a flag being flown beneath the top of its staff as a sign of respect.
RI’s Verdi Productions films ‘Bad News On The Doorstep’ in Providence
Verdi Productions wrapped filming of Tom DeNucci’s “Bad News On The Doorstep” early on May 23 in Providence.
Verdi Productions’ secret horror movie, “My Boyfriend is a Demon,” now filming in Rhode Island, is no longer a secret as Chad A. Verdi, the East Greenwich production company’s president, has announced the cast and given an outline of the movie’s plot.
The ensemble cast comprises veteran actors and rising young talents. The story follows Mary, a lonely, small-town girl who creates a fake Instagram account that pretends to be boyfriend, a guy too perfect to be real. Mary puts so much effort into making him “real” that he shows up at her door one day.
The cast includes:
- Mattias Ferrell, son of comic actor Will Ferrell and known for “A Very Jonas Christmas Movie” and “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.”
- Coco Arquette, daughter of Courteney Cox and David Arquette and known for “Cougar Town.”
- David Arquette, known for his work in the “Scream” film franchise.
- Rosanna Arquette, David’s sister and Coco’s aunt, known for “The Moment.”
- Bailey Sloan, known for “Ragamuffin.”
- Jack Champion, known for “Avatar.”
- Ever Anderson, known for “Peter Pan & Wendy.”
- Vinnie Hacker, known for “Euphoria.”
- Josephine Reitman, known for “Juno.”
- Savannah Lee Smith, kown for “Tunsel Town.”
- Lisa Yamada, known for “Elle.”
- Ty Law, known for “Friday Night Lights.”
“My Boyfriend is a Demon” is written and directed by first-time director mishka.
“My Boyfriend is a Demon” is filming in Providence
The movie began filming in Rhode Island in April and has rented Providence’s Cranston Street Armory for the month of May to use as a studio.
The producing team for Verdi Productions includes Chad A. Verdi, Chad Verdi Jr., Paul Luba, Michelle Verdi and Sera Verdi. Executive producers include Ketchup Entertainment and Kinolime.
Good morning! Happy Thursday! Today will be pretty unsettled with the chance for showers and t’storms. Friday will still be damp with showers and drizzle, but the weekend still looks amazing!
The one good thing with the rain, for allergy sufferers at least, the pollen levels will be lower. In fact, both today and tomorrow, the tree pollen counts will be low locally. Do expect a spike in the pollen count for Saturday and Sunday with the dry weather.
INTERACTIVE RADAR: Live Pinpoint Weather 12 Radar »
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” FLIGHT TRACKER
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” POWER OUTAGES
TODAY
Hour-by-hour forecast for today…
We’ll have some showers around during the morning commute today, but the greatest chance for showers and t’storms will be after 9AM and before 5PM.
Showers and thunderstorms could slow travel around mid-day. Rain could fall heavily at times.
A line of showers and t’storms will be sweeping across the area through the afternoon as a slow-moving weather systems moves through the region.
Highs today will be in the upper 50s to lower 60s with southeast to east winds of 5-15mph.
“https://www.wpri.com/weather-now/weather-now-for-thu-5-14-26/” BEACH AND BOATING FORECASTS
TONIGHT
Showers are still possible this evening; although they won’t be as numerous.
TOMORROW
That low center will be nearby Friday morning, and we’ll be stuck with a damp, cool windflow. Expect drizzle and showers in the morning and possibly some lingering showers in the afternoon.
Highs Friday will only be in the 50s. The average high this time of year is in the upper 60s.
LOOKING AHEAD
Then…there’s the weekend. Saturday looks amazing with lots of sunshine and dry weather. It’ll be warmer, too, with highs in the 70s.
-Meteorologist T.J. Del Santo
T.J. Del Santo (tdelsanto@wpri.com) is the weekday morning and noon meteorologist for 12 News. Connect with him on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram and Threads and BlueSky.
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