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Human composting

Summary

Human composting is a process for the final disposition of human remains in which microbes convert a deceased body into compost. It is also called natural organic reduction (NOR) or terramation.[1]

  Jurisdictions in the United States that have legalized human composting

Although the natural decomposition of human corpses into soil is a long-standing practice, a more rapid process that was developed in the early 21st century entails encasing human corpses in wood chips, straw, and alfafa until thermophile microbes decompose the body.[2] In this manner, the transformation can be sped up to as little as 1–2 months.[2] The accelerated process is based in part on techniques developed for the composting of livestock.[2]

Though human composting was common before modern burial practices and in some religious traditions, contemporary society has tended to favor other disposition methods. However, cultural attention to concerns like sustainability and environmentally friendly burial has led to a resurgence in interest in direct composting of human bodies.[2] Some religious and cultural communities have been critical of this modern composting practice, even though it is in many ways a return to more traditional practices. Human composting is legal in Sweden[3] and in multiple US states, and natural burials without a casket or with a biodegradable container are common practice in Muslim and Jewish traditions and are allowed in the UK, the US, and many other locations throughout the world.[4][5]

Reception edit

Proponents say human composting is more economical, environmentally friendly, and respectful of the body and the earth than the methods of disposal that are typically practiced in technologically advanced societies. Cremation uses fossil fuels or large amounts of wood for funeral pyres (both of which generate polluting smoke and release large amounts of carbon), and conventional burial is land-intensive, has a high carbon footprint, and frequently involves disposing of bodily fluids and liquefied organs in the sewer and injecting the body with toxic embalming chemicals. By contrast, human composting, like natural burial, is a natural process and contributes ecological value by preserving the body's nutrient material.[6] Some have argued that "natural organic reduction respects the human body and spirit, supports rather than sullies the earth, and works with nature rather than against it."[7]

Critics say the rapid decomposition process is inappropriate for human bodies. The Catholic Church in the United States, for example has argued that it does not confer the respect due to bodily remains,[8][9][10] though other Catholics have maintained that human composting "fulfill[s] in a more direct way the Biblical declaration that we are dust and to dust we shall return (Genesis 3:19)."[11] Orthodox Jewish interpretations of Halakha religious law oppose the sped-up composting process, saying it lacks appropriate reverence for the dead, with the matter under debate in other variations of Judaism.[12][13]

Muslim burial practices ordinarily involve natural burials without embalming or cremation. They involve prompt washing of the corpse, wrapping it in a simple plain-cloth shroud, and rapid burial without a casket, with some soil placed under the body. Jewish burial practices are very similar. If a casket is used in a Jewish burial, the casket is generally simple and made of unfinished wood, and strictly-observant practice avoids all use of metal; the wood parts of the casket are joined by wood dowels rather than nails. Caskets are not used in Israel.

Washington was the first U.S. state to allow the practice of human composting.[6][14][4] Three burial businesses in the state of Washington offer human composting as of December 2022.[12][5]

Legal status edit

Human composting is legal in Sweden[3] and multiple US states, and natural burials without a casket or with a biodegradable container are allowed in the UK, the US, and many other locations throughout the world.[4]

In the United States, rapid human composting has become legally allowed or approved to become allowed in the future in seven states as of May 2023:[12][14]

  • Washington (approved in May 2019, taking effect on May 1, 2020)[6][5][14][4]
  • Colorado (approved in May 2021, taking effect on August 8, 2021)[6][5][15]
  • Oregon (approved in June 2021, taking effect on January 1, 2022)[6][5][16]
  • Vermont (approved in June 2022, taking effect on January 1, 2023)[5][17]
  • California (approved on September 18, 2022, to take effect in 2027)[9][5][18]
  • New York (approved on December 31, 2022, pending further regulatory action)[5][14]
  • Nevada (approved in May 2023, taking effect on January 1, 2024)[19]

References edit

  1. ^ Helmore, Edward (January 1, 2023). "New York governor legalizes human composting after death". The Guardian.
  2. ^ a b c d Prasad, Ritu (January 30, 2019). "How do you compost a human body – and why would you?". BBC News.
  3. ^ a b "Human composting as an alternative to burial or cremation signed into law in Washington". Sky News. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d "Washington becomes first US state to legalise human composting". BBC News. May 21, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "Tracker: Where Is Human Composting Legal In The US?". Earth. August 19, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d e Kuta, Sarah. "California Has Legalized Human Composting". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  7. ^ "Opinion: For a More Sustainable Afterlife, Try Human Composting". Undark. August 18, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  8. ^ Molina, Alejandra (July 12, 2021). "Amid Catholic opposition, states are legalizing composting of human remains". Religion News Service.
  9. ^ a b Molina, Alejandra (September 20, 2022). "California legalizes human composting bill against opposition by Catholic bishops". Religion News Service. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  10. ^ "Composting of Human Bodies: Memorandum of Opposition". New York State Catholic Conference. February 28, 2020. Archived from the original on December 3, 2020.
  11. ^ "The Catholic case to support NY's human composting bill". National Catholic Reporter. December 20, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c Ain, Stewart (December 9, 2022). "Jewish law forbids human composting, but for some Jews it's the way to go". The Forward. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  13. ^ "'We're all going to turn to dust': Body composting a 'green' alternative to burial and cremation". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. September 25, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  14. ^ a b c d Maysoon, Khan (December 31, 2022). "New York OKs human composting law; 6th state in US to do so". AP News.
  15. ^ Sallinger, Marc (September 23, 2021). "Body composting begins in Colorado, after state legalizes this alternative to burial or cremation". KUSA. Lafayette. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  16. ^ Arden, Amanda (July 8, 2022). "Oregon's human composting law now in effect. Here's what could come next". KOIN. Portland. Archived from the original on July 10, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  17. ^ "Scott signs eight bills into law, vetoes environmental bill H606". Vermont Business Magazine. June 2, 2022. Archived from the original on June 9, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  18. ^ Chamings, Andrew (September 19, 2022). "California just legalized 'human composting'. Not everyone is happy". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  19. ^ "Nevada Legalizes Human Composting!". Return Home. June 5, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023.

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