Human Composting Now Legal in Three States [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Oregon becomes the third state to legalize human composting, the process of allowing human remains to be converted into soil by speeding up the process of biological decomposition.
• Washington became the first state to legalize human composting in 2019, and Colorado passed a similar law last month.
• Oregon’s bill will go into effect on July 1, 2022.

Oregon becomes the third state to pass a bill legalizing human composting — the process of turning human bodies into soil.

On Tuesday, Governor Kate Brown signed House Bill 2574, which “clarifies permissibility of disposition of human bodies by alternative authorized processes including alkaline hydrolysis and natural organic reduction.”

The bill describes natural organic reduction (NOR) as the “contained accelerated conversion of human remains to soil.”

Representatives Pam Marsh and Brian Clem sponsored the bill that will go into effect on July 1, 2022.

Marsh told Newsweek that she “drafted House Bill 2574 to allow Oregonians to be able to choose natural organic reduction as another option after death. All of us, or the loved ones we leave behind, are going to have to decide what to do with our bodies once life is gone. Natural organic reduction is a safe, proven and more sustainable option for those who want it.”

She continued, “These are hard issues to think about, but making a decision about disposition of our bodies that aligns with our values can be extremely comforting. I’m thrilled Oregonians will now be able to choose NOR.”

According to a testimony document from Marsh, NOR “gently transforms human remains into soil in four to six weeks. The process uses large vessels to hold human remains which are combined with straw, wood chips, and other natural materials.”

The document continues, “The decomposing process creates heat of over 131F, which kills viruses, bacteria, and pathogens, and exceeds EPA requirements for heavy metals, which are stabilized in the soil, not volatilized. The resulting soil is safe for gardens, trees and general land use.”

In the testimony document, families of the deceased will be asked to choose the “best resting place for the soil” after the completion of the NOR process.

Marsh added that NOR is environment-friendly because it uses less energy than cremation.

Washington is the first state to legalize human composting in 2019. The bill, which has language similar to that in Oregon’s law, legalizes the “contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil.”

In May 2021, Colorado passed SB21-006, which “authorizes human remains to be converted to soil using a container that accelerates the process of biological decomposition, also known as natural reduction.”

Source: NEWSWEEK