New Jersey Legalizes Human Composting, Allowing Eco-Friendly Burials Within Months

New Jersey lawmakers last week approved a measure legalizing human composting — formally known as natural organic reduction — joining a growing list of states that have authorized the practice as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional burial and cremation.

Under the legislation, licensed funeral homes and other end-of-life providers in the Garden State will be able to offer the service locally within roughly 10 months, officials and industry representatives said, reducing the need for residents to ship remains to other states where the option already exists.

Natural organic reduction transforms a human body into nutrient-rich soil by placing the remains in a contained vessel with organic materials such as straw and alfalfa and managing temperature, moisture and airflow to promote decomposition. The process, as described by companies that provide the service, typically takes about 45 to 60 days before the resulting material is returned to next of kin, who may scatter it or use it to nourish plants.

The New Jersey Funeral Directors Association worked with state lawmakers to craft the bill as interest from residents increased. Supporters have pointed to the environmental benefits of the practice, noting it can reduce land use and avoid some emissions associated with traditional burial and high-temperature cremation, though the exact climate impact varies depending on methods and local regulations.

Earth Funeral, a company based in Washington state and a prominent provider of natural organic reduction services, has been active in the sector since Washington became the first state to legalize the practice in 2019. New Jersey becomes the 14th state to authorize human composting since that first legalization, a trend that accelerated in part after the COVID-19 pandemic brought renewed attention to end-of-life planning.

Proponents say the option has appealed to families seeking lower-cost or lower-impact alternatives to conventional burial, and to those who want a tangible, living legacy such as soil for a memorial tree or garden. The legislation allows families to specify how much of the processed material they wish to receive and how it should be handled, mirroring practices in other states where choices range from a small portion for scattering to enough soil for a potted plant.

Regulatory details that will govern implementation, including licensing, facility standards, and recordkeeping, are expected to be developed during the interim before services launch. Advocates and funeral directors have emphasized the importance of safety protocols and clear oversight to ensure the process meets public health and environmental standards.

New York State legalized natural organic reduction in 2022 in part as a strategy aligned with broader carbon reduction goals. Across jurisdictions that have adopted the practice, lawmakers and regulators continue to weigh technical standards, transport rules and how to integrate the new option with existing death care systems.

The New Jersey law addresses a growing demand that had seen some families travel out of state to access human composting. With the new authorization and forthcoming regulations, providers in New Jersey will offer residents a locally available choice for disposition that advocates describe as consistent with broader efforts to expand sustainable options in the death-care industry.

As the practice becomes more widespread, lawmakers, funeral professionals and environmental experts are expected to continue evaluating its environmental footprint, costs and cultural acceptance. Implementation in New Jersey will be watched by other states considering similar measures and by communities weighing the role of new disposition options in climate and land-use planning.