Starks Funeral Parlor in Millcreek has earned a reputation for its compassionate service and now, for pioneering a modern, eco-friendly approach to end-of-life care. Jason and Shayneh Starks, who opened the family-owned funeral home in 2005, offer their clients an innovative and environmentally conscious option—natural organic reduction (NOR), often called human composting.

This process transforms the deceased into nutrient-rich soil over a period of 8 to 12 weeks. While the concept may sound unconventional to some, it's gaining traction with families in Utah and beyond, as it aligns with a growing cultural emphasis on sustainability and reducing carbon footprints.

"We're seeing a lot of interest from environmentally conscious individuals who want a natural, meaningful way to return to the earth," observed Shayneh Starks, who has worked in funeral services since 1995.

Natural organic reduction has already been legalized in states like Washington, Oregon and California, but Utah has yet to officially approve this process. Currently, Starks Funeral Parlor assists families who wish to choose this option by transferring remains out of state to Seattle, ensuring that those who value NOR have access to it. Starks Funeral Parlor is an affiliate of Seattle-based Recompose, an organization specializing in natural organic reduction. Until Utah officially legalizes NOR, this partnership allows Starks Funeral Parlor to provide clients with seamless access to its environmentally sustainable burial options.

The human composting service not only offers a gentler environmental impact than traditional burial or cremation—using less energy and avoiding chemicals such as embalming fluids—but also gives families the opportunity to create life out of loss. The soil created through NOR can be returned to loved ones or used to nurture trees, gardens or conservation projects.

"We, of course, still care for people with conventional burial and cremation; we are used to it; it is part of our culture," Starks added. "But it is important to be able to offer another option to families. Everyone I talk to about NOR wants to know more and feels how beautiful it is when we describe it."

Starks is also a passionate advocate for conservation burial, a practice that combines green burial methods with land conservation efforts to protect and restore natural habitats. By aligning with this approach, Starks helps to preserve open spaces and biodiversity while offering individuals a sustainable and meaningful way to honor loved ones. Conservation burial prioritizes the protection of ecosystems, ensuring that burial grounds remain untouched by development and continue to serve as vital sanctuaries for wildlife.

The Starks' legacy as a funeral home is deeply rooted in service. Jason and Shayneh Starks met in Northern California while working in the funeral industry and later returned to Utah, where they married in 2001. Running a family-focused funeral parlor has been their passion since they opened their doors nearly two decades ago, serving around 400 families annually. "My job is loving people for a living," Starks said. "That translates into everything we do, everything is meaningful. I wake up every day loving a new family."

While NOR has sparked curiosity and enthusiasm in Utah, its future depends on legislation. Sen. Jen Plumb, D-Salt Lake City, sponsored a bill this year to legalize the practice within the Beehive State, but it failed to advance at the Utah Legislature.

"I'm hopeful that people will see how much of an opportunity it is for Utah to expand into [this] business opportunity," Plumb said.

Local residents have expressed eagerness to see NOR become a standard option in Utah, and advocates believe this green initiative could pave the way for more sustainable death-care practices nationwide. By introducing NOR to the community, the Starks are continuing their mission of serving families and leading the funeral industry into the future.

"When you think about the living life cycle, by us allowing our bodies to return to the earth and break down the way our bodies were intended to, we actually absorb carbon [and] reverse greenhouse effects," Shayneh Starks said. "We will still provide the traditional options, but I have been working on conservation burials since 2010."

With Starks Funeral Parlor at the forefront of this green movement, Utah looks poised to join a growing list of states redefining what it means to rest in peace.

"Natural organic reduction brings an opportunity to offer a new and beautiful ritual to the evolving community," Shayneh Starks opined. "People sometimes don't have a faith or are 'spiritual but not religious.' There are natural rituals surrounding NOR that we can offer to connect the bereaved to their person and hopefully help move them peacefully through the grieving process. Ritual has been lost and I would love to help people find that again."