New York Becomes Sixth State to Approve Composting of Human Bodies

New York just became the latest state to allow the composting of human bodies to fight climate change.

Source: NBC News/YouTube

Human composting is significantly better for the environment compared to cremation and burial caskets. Many cultures around the world also have similar traditions of returning bodies to nature or back to the soil after death. Not only can casket burials be incredibly expensive, but the creation of the casket requires emissions for manufacturing and transportation. On the other hand, cremation has a huge carbon footprint. Research has found that cremation gives off as many emissions as driving a car 700 miles.

Washington became the first state to legalize it in 2019, and later Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, and California followed. Now, New York is the sixth state to allow human composting following Governor Kathy Hochul’s stamp of approval last week.

BBC reported that Catholic bishops in New York state are opposed to the legislation and argue that human bodies should not be treated as “household waste”.

Human composting involves placing a body into an insulated vessel that has organic material and helps speed up the composting process. Teeth are removed to prevent mercury contamination from possible dental fillings. Once decomposition is complete, which can take three months, the vessel is opened, and large bones are removed. The smaller bones can be pulverized and left in the vessel for a longer period to decompose. The soil can be returned to the family to use how they wish, or the funeral home often offers services to get the soil back into the earth.

This could be an amazing way to reconnect with nature and do one last amazing thing for the earth. We hope that other states will be encouraged to follow New York’s new legalization!

Related Content:

• California Legalizes Green End-of-Life Alternative: Human Composting
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• How to Make a Quick Leaf Compost Out of All Those Autumn Leaves
• Beware of “Compostable” and “Recyclable” Products: They Aren’t Always What They Seem
• How to Compost Without a Compost Bin

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