Martha Stewart rejects coffins, shares unconventional death plan and pinpoints final resting spot

Martha Stewart, the lifestyle icon, has offered a surprising peek into her end-of-life wishes, and they’re as earthy as her brand. Speaking on QVC’s “50+ & Unfiltered” podcast, the 84-year-old shared her unconventional plans for when she dies.

Martha Stewart’s after-death plans

Martha Stewart, known for her gardening, farm-to-table ethos, and hands-on lifestyle, made it clear she wants a final resting plan that mirrors the life she built.

“These coffin things and all that stuff? No way,” Stewart said when asked about her funeral wishes. “I’m going to be composted,” she added, a remark now circulating online under variations of the phrases “Martha Stewart death plan” and “Martha Stewart compost idea.”


She even specified the exact spot where she hopes to be buried: the same field where her beloved horses rest.

“When one of my horses dies, we dig a giant hole, really deep, in one of my fields. We have a pet cemetery, and the horse is wrapped in a clean white linen sheet and very carefully dropped down into this giant, lovely grave. I want to go there.”

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Legality of Martha Stewart’s after-death plan

When host Shawn Killinger asked whether she was legally allowed to be buried on her own property, Stewart brushed the concern aside.

“I don’t know. Why not?” she replied. “It’s not going to hurt anyone. It’s my property.”

Killinger later asked whether she had ever experienced a near-death moment. Stewart initially said no, until she was reminded of the time she was struck by lightning. She corrected herself: it happened three times.

FAQs on Martha Stewart’s death plan

What is Martha Stewart’s death plan?

Martha Stewart revealed on the “50+ & Unfiltered” podcast that she wants to be composted after death instead of using a traditional coffin.

Why does Martha Stewart want to be composted?

Stewart said she prefers a natural, earth-friendly burial that aligns with her lifelong love of gardening, farming, and soil.

Where does Martha Stewart want to be buried?

She pinpointed a specific field on her property, the same area where her horses are buried, as her preferred final resting spot.