Photo :webshot. 

January 2, 2023

Andrew Campbell 

On December 31, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a member of the Democratic Party, approved legislation to permit human composting in the Empire State.

Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to authorize natural organic reduction, sometimes known as human composting, making New York the sixth state in the US to allow that kind of burial. Human composting became authorized in Washington state in 2019, followed by Colorado and Oregon in 2021, then Vermont and California in 2022.

The body of the deceased is placed in a reusable vessel together with plant material such as wood chips, alfalfa, and straw. The organic mixture provides the ideal environment for naturally occurring bacteria to conduct their work, rapidly and efficiently breaking down the body in about a month. The result is a heaping cubic yard of nutrient-dense soil amendment comparable to around 36 bags of soil. They can be used to plant trees or improve conservation areas, woods, or gardens.

Human composting is a viable burial alternative in New York, according to legislation passed by both the state Assembly and Senate earlier in 2022. However, the law was opposed by the New York State Catholic Conference, which represents the state's bishops.