How body composting is taking root in US' 'green' burial trend

A demonstration "vessel" for the deceased, which has been decorated with flowers and compostable mementos on top of a bed of straw. Photos: Jason Redmond/AFP

A woodpecker settled on a branch overhead as Cindy Armstrong stood near a grouping of trees, gazing at a patch of soil that contained bits of her son's composted remains.

Armstrong is one of a growing number of Americans embracing environmentally low-impact burials for their loved ones.