Most of us are aware of the two most common forms of final rest, traditional casket burial and cremation. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, these accounted for nearly 95 percent of funerals in the United States in 2021, with cremation holding the edge over casket burial. As younger generations and their parents age, an increasing interest in environmentally conscious possibilities is emerging.
A new option for U.S. residents, human composting, is slowly becoming available across the country. California will begin allowing natural organic reduction (NOR), more commonly known as human composting or green burial, starting in 2027. The bill was signed by Governor Newsom in Sept of 2022. Supporters of this initiative promote it as “an eco-friendly alternative to traditional end-of-life options.” Environmental experts say the positive impact is significant and immediate to the environment. It could save the equivalent of one metric ton of carbon per person who selects the option. At the current time, human composting, on average, is less expensive than traditional casket burial, but more expensive than cremation.
Human composting is the first new and formally approved final resting option to become available to consumers in a very long time. The process involves encapsulating the deceased with alfalfa, straw, and sawdust. In approximately six to ten weeks a rich soil will be created. This option is becoming popular among the eco-conscious consumer and is expected to grow.
Human composting is already legal and available in Colorado, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington. Legislation to approve has been introduced or is in progress in Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and Virginia. Legislation failed in Hawaii and Pennsylvania. Follow Earth Funeral for ongoing updates on this topic.
Resources for more information:
https://recompose.life/who-we-are/#public-policy
https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/01/us/california-human-composting-law-trnd/index.html