Return Home offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial and cremation methods and made a memorable appearance on Shark Tank. Founded by Micah Truman and his mother, Lexi, the company is at the forefront of the human composting movement, a process they refer to as “Terramation.”
According to StartEngine, Return Home is worth $20 million. Unfortunately, they didn’t get a deal due to their insane valuation. Coming in with a $40 million valuation made it clear they didn’t want to bring a Shark on board.
What Does the Company Do?
Return Home’s mission is to provide a sustainable and green alternative to burial or cremation. Their unique process converts human remains into fertile soil within 60 to 90 days, using 90% less energy than cremation. The body is prepared, adorned in a biodegradable gown, and placed in a vessel with straw, alfalfa, and sawdust.
Families have the option to add personal notes or flowers to the vessel. Over time, the body naturally decomposes and turns into usable soil, which families can then use to create a memorial garden or scatter in a dedicated woodland area.
Journey to Shark Tank
The idea for Return Home was sparked after the legalization of Terramation in Washington. Micah, along with his mother Lexi, looked deep into the intricacies of human composting, collaborating with soil scientists, HVAC specialists, engineers, funeral directors, and embalmers.
The company was launched in June 2021, with Micah Truman as the CEO. They embarked on a mission to spread awareness about their unique venture, visiting various associations and meetings, and emphasizing their transparent funeral services.
After Shark Tank
Following their appearance on Shark Tank, Return Home attracted significant media attention and should now be profitable. Since the show, they’re among the top three companies for human composting in Washington. The company also presented at conventions, including the National Funeral Directors Association Annual Convention.
Their Auburn, WA Terramation Center, the world’s first large-scale human composting facility, boasts 74 custom-designed vessels. Their commitment to transparency is evident, as they allow families to visit their loved ones during the Terramation process and offer in-person laying-in ceremonies. They charge $4,950 for their Terramation service and an optional $500 laying-in service.
Before Shark Tank, they raised $675,911.30 from 388 investors on StartEngine to build out their facility. While exact post-Shark Tank sales figures are not publicly available, the company’s popularity suggests a positive trajectory.
You can learn more about Return Home’s services by visiting their website, returnhome.com. They cater to families in 49 U.S. states and Canada. The traditional funeral market is worth $20 billion, so there’s plenty of room for growth!
