Alumni Ventures Invests in Earth Funeral’s Eco-Friendly End-of-Life Solution

As an environmentally-friendly alternative to burial and cremation, Earth Funeral’s proprietary process gently converts bodies into nutrient-rich soil, supporting conservation and sustainability efforts. Earth Funeral’s soil transformation service addresses both environmental and emotional needs, allowing families to choose how the soil is used — whether keeping it for personal use, such as planting a memorial garden, or donating it to conservation projects.

“We’re accelerating a completely natural process,” said Co-Founder and CEO Tom Harries, who recently discussed his company on AV’s Tech Optimist podcast. “We offer a more sustainable option that resonates deeply with people who want to reconnect their loved ones with nature.”

Earth Funeral’s process, developed over several years, takes place in state-of-the-art facilities and involves the natural transformation of the body into soil. Unlike traditional cremation, which relies on fossil fuels and emits harmful pollutants, Earth Funeral’s method produces no man-made CO2 and supports new life. Each transformation yields approximately 300 pounds of nutrient-rich soil, which can be used for land restoration, reforestation, and personal memorials.

As the leading provider of soil transformation in the U.S., Earth Funeral operates facilities in Washington and Nevada, currently serving the West Coast and Pacific Northwest. The company plans to expand its services to cover 80% of the U.S. population within the next three years. Since its founding, Earth Funeral has been instrumental in legalizing soil transformation in 12 states, with more on the horizon.

“It’s refreshing to see a modern innovation that respects both tradition and technology,” said AV Senior Associate Drew Wandzilak, who hosted the conversation with Harries on AV’s Tech Optimist podcast. “Tom and his team are transforming an ancient concept into something accessible, scalable, and deeply impactful for our planet.”