A Final Farewell for Peluche
Peluche, an elderly Pomeranian, had been a cherished member of Melina Casiano’s family for many years. However, on the afternoon of 8th October, in Mexico City, they faced the heartbreaking decision to euthanise him to alleviate his suffering. Peluche was gently carried out of the clinic by a veterinarian, who placed him in a white van adorned with vibrant marigold flowers, animal paw prints, and the name “Hagámonos Composta.” A message on the back proclaimed, “Because they deserve to return to the earth with the same tenderness they inhabited it.” Indeed, Peluche would neither be cremated nor buried.
Melina was already familiar with the Hagámonos Composta initiative, having followed their social media accounts. In the weeks leading up to Peluche’s passing, she stumbled upon one of their videos, which she described as a magical moment that guided her decision. Having been taught by her mother since childhood to separate waste, conserve water, and consider the impact of their actions, the idea of composting Peluche’s body resonated deeply with her.
Innovative Approaches to Animal Remains
Founded in 2025, Hagámonos Composta provides composting services for companion animals. Gerardo Montes de Oca, the founder, aspires to expand the concept further, envisioning a future where individuals might also opt for this environmentally friendly option after death. While this practice has gained traction in various countries, implementing it in Mexico raises complex questions, particularly due to the ongoing crisis of disappearances and forensic identification challenges.
The van carrying Peluche made its way to the State of Mexico, where the initiative operates on a plot dedicated to various types of organic waste. One area featured wooden structures filled with straw, each labelled with names like Oliva, Luna Lola, Mady, and Braulio, signifying animals currently undergoing the composting process. In front of a vibrant mural depicting a dog, a cat, a rabbit, and a guinea pig among roots and soil, Peluche was placed on a grey bed surrounded by flowers. A team member began to construct what they call a “nest,” where he would remain enveloped in materials like straw and sawdust while microorganisms worked to transform him over the coming months.
From Kitchen Waste to Animal Composting
Hagámonos Composta is part of a broader initiative called Hagamos Composta, which Gerardo Montes de Oca established in 2017 to collect and process organic waste. Initially, the project focused on gathering scraps, fruit peels, and kitchen waste from six individuals, primarily family and friends. Within three years, the operation had expanded to transport waste collected from 1,300 families in Mexico City to Toluca.
Today, visitors to the organisation’s café in the Roma district are greeted by a wall lined with green, orange, blue, and purple buckets. The café also serves as a collection centre, where individuals can drop off their waste, sign up for services, or participate in workshops. Gerardo recounts how the initiative gradually broadened its understanding of what could be composted.
Composting Animals: A Growing Movement
Following this, Hagamos Poposta emerged, a service designed to collect and compost animal faeces. The next logical step was to address the remains of deceased animals. “We began to realise that there are many more compostable items than we initially thought,” Gerardo explains.
So far, around 110 animals, primarily dogs and cats, but also including guinea pigs, birds, and even a turtle, have undergone some phase of this process. The service includes collecting the animal’s body, composting it, and later providing the resulting compost to the family. The amount received varies according to the size of the animal and the materials used, as everything within the “nest” ultimately gets mixed together. Many recipients use the compost in gardens or pots, with one friend even remarking, “It’s in my pot now, but I care for the pot more.”
Nurturing Grief and Connection
Throughout the composting period, the team sends meditations, readings, and other resources to the families, enhancing the grieving process in ways Gerardo had not anticipated at the project’s inception. Some of these farewells are shared online, with the families’ consent, showcasing different stages of the process—from saying goodbye to preparing the “nests.”
The reactions to these posts vary widely; some individuals inquire about how the process works, expressing regret that such an alternative was not available when they lost their pets, while others question the filming of these poignant moments. Gerardo notes that they sometimes receive comments accusing them of exploiting death for marketing purposes. “They initially think, ‘This is strange,’” he says. “But once it’s explained, they often respond, ‘Ah, that makes perfect sense.’”
Understanding the Composting Process
Dr Alejandro Vargas Sánchez has devoted years to studying composting. As a veterinarian and head of the Natural Resource Utilisation Area at the Centre for Teaching, Research, and Extension in Pig Production at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), he applies this technique to manage carcasses, placentas, and other organic waste.
Once an animal passes away, its body begins to decompose. Composting does not halt this process but facilitates it in a controlled manner. To convert a body into compost, it is covered with materials like straw or sawdust, which provide carbon to balance the nitrogen content and absorb moisture. Adequate air and water are also essential for microorganisms to break down the organic matter effectively. Certain materials can help manage odours; for instance, lavender may be added to mask the ammonia smell that attracts flies.
Scientific Insights into Decomposition
As microorganisms break down the body, temperatures rise, necessitating careful monitoring of heat, moisture, and airflow to ensure a successful process. Failure to regulate these factors can lead to unpleasant odours, leaks, or the proliferation of pathogens. “The main issue is that often people do not know how to do it technically correct,” states Vargas.
Vargas and fellow researchers at UNAM studied this process using pig carcasses, placing them between sawdust and other organic materials for 98 days. They also experimented with an endogenous bacterial inoculum made from Bacillus species sourced from the composting system. This approach resulted in quicker tissue decomposition and a reduced presence of pathogenic microorganisms.
Challenges in Composting Due to Medications
Medications present another challenge; while some can decompose, newer drugs may take longer to break down or require further study to understand their behaviour during composting.
Gerardo explains that at Hagámonos Composta, they monitor temperature and humidity, leaving the body undisturbed for the initial weeks. Afterward, they open the “nest” to assess the progress and adjust the materials. Soft tissues decompose more rapidly than bones, which need to be broken down for full decomposition. The entire process typically spans around five months.
Environmental Benefits of Proper Composting
“When you bury or inter the body, it promotes the production of certain microorganisms that generate potent greenhouse gases. While composting does not eliminate potential contamination, it can offer environmental advantages when executed correctly. The resulting compost can enrich the soil, enhance its water retention capabilities, and sequester carbon. The introduction of oxygen alters the gases produced during decomposition. “The gases generated are not as harmful to the environment,” Vargas clarifies. However, success hinges on the implementation of proper techniques.
The Possibility of Human Composting
Gerardo hopes that the project will eventually encompass human remains. “I would love to know that I will return to the soil with microorganisms that will transform me,” he expresses. For him, the notion of composting a human body stems from a simple idea: “to ensure your final act is regenerative.”
When asked about the changes necessary to enable such a practice for humans, Vargas responds that, biologically, it operates on the same principles. However, factors like size, weight, and fat content could affect the timing and quantity of materials needed.
Global Perspectives on Human Composting
Worldwide, the number of locations permitting composting remains limited. In the United States, 14 states have enacted laws to allow what’s termed natural organic reduction. California is one such state, with regulations set to take effect in 2027. Washington led the way in 2019, establishing guidelines regarding the required temperature for the process and the testing of the resulting compost before distribution.
In Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany, human composting was incorporated into funeral legislation in 2026 after two years of scientific trials. Unlike other countries, the residual soil must be interred in a cemetery. In Mexico, however, there are no specific