Frederick first experienced death when his mother passed away from skin cancer in 2008. She was cremated — and as a lifelong environmental advocate, Frederick spent years sitting with the weight of that choice, knowing the environmental cost and wishing he had been able to choose differently.

When New York legalized natural organic reduction in 2022, Frederick saw an opportunity to build something meaningful. Drawing on his experience managing sustainability programs, he founded Renewed Roots to bring human composting to New York State — so that every New Yorker has the option to make a final choice that reflects their values.

Frederick is a New Yorker on a mission to make natural organic reduction accessible, normalized, and available to all.