New Jersey Approves Human Composting Bill

Living on in memory can take on a whole new meaning. New Jersey has just passed a bill that makes human composting legal, marking a departure from conventional burials. Now, the bodies of loved ones can be transformed into nutrient-rich soil, perfect for nurturing their favorite houseplants.

Known more formally as natural organic reduction, human composting has seen a surge in interest, particularly following the Covid-19 pandemic, which claimed over a million lives in the U.S.

With this new law, New Jersey becomes the 14th state to embrace such practices in a little over six years.

Local funeral homes and similar facilities will have the ability to offer these services within the coming 10 months. This development could eliminate the need for many residents to travel to states where the practice is already legal.

The New Jersey Funeral Directors Association collaborated with lawmakers to craft this legislation, motivated by the growing interest from state residents, some of whom were already sending their loved ones’ remains out of state for these specialized procedures.

That said, the process of human composting isn’t as quick as other methods like cremation. It actually takes around 45 days for the body to be gently transformed into soil.

Earth Funerals, a key player in the movement, has been advocating for this practice since Washington became the first state to legalize it in 2019. They emphasize that the entire process is quite methodical—when a body is placed in a “container” that includes organic materials like straw and alfalfa, it’s sealed and connected to an HVAC system for optimal breakdown.

The duration of this composting process can vary, depending on various factors, but after about 45-60 days, the resulting soil is returned to the deceased’s loved ones. This soil can then be scattered in gardens or used to nourish plants, much like traditional ashes from cremation.

Interestingly, there’s also remote control involved; families, even if they are far-flung, have a say in how much of the final soil they wish to bring home.

New York had already legalized human composting in 2022, aligning with its goal to reduce carbon emissions by 2050. This means that more people are starting to explore eco-friendly alternatives, as it turns out, many greenhouse gases come from unexpected sources—yes, even from decomposing bodies buried underground.