Natural organic reduction, widely known as human composting, is legally available in more than a dozen US states, giving families an alternative to traditional burial and cremation. According to the Associated Press, companies such as the Seattle-based provider Earth offer these services to out-of-state families, transporting remains across state lines where regulations permit the practice.
Where Human Composting Is Legal in the United States
Washington became the first state to legalize natural organic reduction in 2019. Since then, according to data compiled by the Associated Press, lawmakers in more than a dozen states have enacted similar legislation. The approved states now include Maryland, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, California, New York, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, and Maine. Each state sets distinct regulatory frameworks governing how facilities operate and how soil is returned to families.
How Natural Organic Reduction Works
According to provider descriptions and state agricultural guidelines, the process places a human body inside a custom vessel alongside organic materials like wood chips, alfalfa, and straw. This mixture creates an optimal environment for microbes and bacteria to naturally break down the body over a span of several weeks. The resulting nutrient-rich soil undergoes testing to ensure safety before it is returned to the family for use in conservation projects, gardens, or tree planting.
Cross-State Logistics and Industry Growth
Because the practice remains restricted to a select number of states, out-of-state transportation logistics play a major role in the industry. According to the Associated Press, firms like Earth coordinate with local funeral directors to transport decedents from non-legal jurisdictions to facilities equipped for composting. Industry advocates point to rising demand driven by environmental concerns and a scarcity of traditional cemetery space in major metropolitan areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is human composting safe?
State regulators require rigorous testing of the resulting soil to neutralize pathogens and heavy metals before facilities release it to families, according to environmental health departments in participating states.
What happens to the remaining soil?
Families typically receive between one and two cubic yards of soil, which they can use to nourish private land, plant memorial trees, or scatter in designated conservation burial grounds where permitted by local zoning laws.
Keep reading