Environment

Human body composting explored by states as burial alternative

Seven states since 2019 have passed laws allowing the process.
In this Aug. 11, 2021, photo, Seth Viddal, who co-owns The Natural Funeral, stands behind a nearly completed human body composting vessel in Arvada, Colo. The vessel will be packed with wood chips and straw and will be able to compost a body in six months. (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert)

Lawmakers in at least four states introduced legislation this year to allow deceased bodies to be turned into compost, an increasingly popular burial alternative that can help states lower carbon emissions associated with traditional burials and cremation.

Bills in Arizona, Delaware, New Hampshire and Utah, and  could add to the seven states — Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, California, New York, and Nevada — that passed laws since 2019 allowing human composting.

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