Fort Collins-based funeral company now offers natural organic reduction, or “composting”
When time on Earth ends for our loved ones, there are still ways to show how much they care for the Earth. Chris and Stephanie Goes, owners of Goes Funeral Care in Fort Collins, have long embraced environmentally sensitive care alternatives as well as traditional funeral dispositions. Recently, Goes Funeral Care added natural organic reduction to its Earth-conscious services, a process for composting a deceased person.
The Goes’ commitment to environmental options started about 20 years ago when they first worked with the City of Fort Collins to facilitate green burial in Roselawn Cemetery, 2718 E. Mulberry St. In 2023, the couple introduced gentle water cremation at its Fort Collins location, which reduces the carbon footprint by 70 percent compared to traditional flame cremation.
This year, the company is partnering with Washington-based Earth Funeral to offer natural organic reduction to its client families in Northern Colorado. Over a 45-day process, the body is transformed into nutrient-rich soil.
“We’re pleased to be the first provider in Colorado to partner with Earth Funeral, a fully licensed and regulated company that shares our values and high standards,” says Stephanie Goes. “Since we opened our doors and began caring for families in 1996, we have carefully chosen our partners to provide quality service.”
Samantha Hinzmann, Goes Funeral Care’s water cremation specialist and a certified crematory operator, has completed the Cremation Association of North America class for the Natural Organic Reduction Operations Certification, which will allow her to be licensed as a natural reductionist with the state.
“We’re thrilled to honor Earth Day and invite families to learn more about natural organic reduction, water cremation and green burial,” says Chris Goes, a second-generation funeral director. “I have always strongly believed that I have an obligation to listen to the wishes of the families we serve, and this is something our community has asked for. I also believe that funeral homes and funeral directors should be trained, certified and licensed, which we have been since we first opened our doors almost 30 years ago. Our ethics are our trademark, and we welcome family members to participate—however they would like—in caring for their loved one.”
