Photo by Rhodi Lopez on Unsplash
Human composting, meaning transforming corpses naturally into nutrient-rich soil, is gaining traction in the U.S. as a sustainable alternative to cremation and burial. The sustainable practice, already working in states like Washington, Colorado, Oregon and Vermont was signed into law by California Gov. Newsom on September 18. The new law, sponsored by Assemblymember Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens), gives the Golden State residents the right to choose to have their bodies or that of their loved ones composted after death starting in 2027. In addition, family members of decomposed corpses can have the soil after the process or donate it for use on conservation lands.
