Human composting could become the future of American deathcare as support for the method gains traction in several more states.
Also known as natural organic reduction, human composting is an emerging alternative to a traditional burial that speeds up the decomposition process of a human body—which can take years—to only a matter of weeks, turning the body into soil. Advocates view human composting as a more eco-friendly form of deathcare that can provide key social benefits for those mourning a loved one, but the process has drawn opposition from religious groups, who say it violates their doctrine about how bodies should be treated after death.
While not everyone is on board, the political fight for its legalization is making progress in at least four states so far in 2024, meaning it could soon become available to millions more Americans.
Essentially, human composting works by placing a human body in a vessel with plant material, typically alfalfa or wood chips, in optimal temperatures and conditions to accelerate the decomposition process. Once the process is complete, typically after about 45 days, the soil is tested to ensure it is nutrient-dense and high-quality before being used, Haley Morris, head of Communications & Government Affairs at Earth Funeral, told Newsweek in a phone interview.
Arizona became the latest state to legalize human composting, with Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs signing a bill allowing the process into law in April. The bill easily passed the Arizona legislature, receiving bipartisan support from both Democrats and Republicans.
Morgan Yarborough, a service manager at Recompose, told Newsweek in a phone interview that while Democratic-leaning states were the first to embrace legalizing human composting, there has been more bipartisan support as embracing "personal choice" has helped "bridge the gap."
"As we move forward, we see it resonating on both sides of the coin," she said. "I see that reflected in our clients. A lot of the folks who may not identify as liberal or Democratic, or any of the other things that Recompose generally identifies as, they're really coming at it from a personal choice angle."
Meanwhile, Morris said she has been "really blown away" by peoples' passion on the issue, noting that bills are being introduced largely by people who are "writing their local representatives and asking for a change."
Washington was the first state to legalize human composting in 2019. Since then, seven other states have followed suit. Since then, In addition to Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon, New York, Nevada and Vermont have also passed laws legalizing the process, a sign advocates say shows growing momentum on the issue.
Several other states, including Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey are also considering bills to legalize it.
Of those states, Delaware has made the most progress on their legislation, with a bill passing the state Senate in March. Now, the legalization of human composting rests on whether Democratic Governor John Carney signs it into law. A Carney spokesperson told Newsweek his legal and policy teams are reviewing the bill.
Morris said human composting bills have largely stemmed from individuals or groups advocating for the burial alternative in their own communities amid growing consumer interest.
Supporters of these bills want the option available for those who are interested in it, and that advocates understand not everyone will be interested in it, Morris said.
"This choice is one of the most personal, so we have the most upmost respect for everyone to choose the right option for them. When it comes to legalizing human composting, or natural organic reduction, it's really about making sure that this choice is honored and respected for those who do," she said.
Legalization is a key step to making human composition accessible for Americans, but there are still steps that need to be taken after a bill passes to bring the practice to a given state, according to Yarborough. Industry leaders must work with the government, health departments and mortuary or cemetery boards to adapt rules and regulations to human composting.
Some states can get through this process in about a year, but California businesses won't be able to begin offering human composting until 2027, Yarborough said.
Amy Cunningham, the founder and funeral director of Fitting Tribute Funeral Services in New York City, told Newsweek via phone interview that she has seen increased interest from clients for human composting since it was the New York legislature legalized the practice in 2022.
New York has been historically "cautious and conservative" on funeral policy, but the bill's passage is a "testament to how strongly consumers want to embrace earth-friendlier" methods, Cunningham said.
The law came as a bit of a surprise, and there was not a large political battle in the state, as supporters of the bill had better organization than its opponents, Cunningham said.
"While some religious authorities articulated skepticism...everyone seemed open to what might be new," she said.
Although natural organic reduction has been made legal in New York, the industry is still working to make it accessible to New York residents, as the facilities for the practice are only available on the west coast. Industry stakeholders are researching how to implement it here, including where the facilities may be located and how to get material for the process such as alfalfa, she said.
"A lot of people are very excited but cautiously moving forward to see how it's going to work, and studying what other people are doing," Cunningham said.
Human Composting Sparks Catholic Opposition
These bills have not been passed without opposition.
The Catholic Church has emerged as the most vocal opponents of human composting legalization, arguing it would defy religious doctrine.
In March 2023, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Doctrine released a note outlining their opposition to the practice. The church long viewed burial as the preferred method, but does permit cremation, so long as the ashes are "laid to rest in a sacred place."
The committee wrote, "God's promise is not that the righteous will leave behind their bodies to attain blessedness, but rather that they will be resurrected in their bodies and share in the glorification of the resurrected Christ." It concluded that that human composting is "not sufficiently respectful of the human body."
"In fact, the body is completely disintegrated. There is nothing distinguishably left of the body to be placed in a casket or an urn and laid to rest in a sacred place where Christian faithful can visit for prayer and remembrance," the memo reads.
When New York considered their human composting bill, the New York State Catholic Conference released a memorandum of opposition provided to Newsweek that explained why they believe the process should not be made legal.
"Like many faith traditions, the Catholic Church's reverence for the sacredness of the human body and its dignity arises out of concern for both the body's natural and supernatural properties. It is therefore essential that the body of a deceased person be treated with reverence and respect," the memorandum reads.
It continues: "A process whereby human remains are composted and scattered 'in a designated scattering garden or area in a cemetery' (bill language) fails to sufficiently respect the dignity due the deceased."
Human Composting Draws Interest in New York
Despite some skepticism, Cunningham said she has seen growing interest in human composting from all walks of life and that it is not necessarily a "hippie thing." For instance, she has heard from many conservative Christians who believe people should be more careful about the environment.
"Part of living is being a good steward to the earth," she said. "When it comes my time to die, I hope to support products and make my selections carefully, toward what might be biodegradable and not involve any chemicals that might damage the earth. My own business is shaped around earth-friendly funerals, and I've definitely been growing as a company."
Many of the individuals who are drawn to natural organic reduction want to feel like their body is useful to the earth, even in death, according to Cunningham.
"It's the ultimate message of resurrection, rebirth and new life that everybody wants to contemplate when their time comes," Cunningham said.
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