Human Composting: Everything You Need to Know

Updated: August 4th, 2026

For generations, the choice between either burial or cremation has been a standard in funeral planning. Today, a new and environmentally friendly option is growing in popularity—human composting, an eco-friendly option and an environmentally-friendly alternative to conventional burial and cremation.. This innovative process transforms a body into nutrient-rich human composting soil, returning it to nature without harmful chemicals or carbon emissions.

As awareness of climate change and environmental responsibility grows, human composting is emerging as a preferred alternative for the eco-conscious. This method serves as a way to honor our connection to nature. Through a natural process, the body transforms into nutrient-rich soil over several weeks. In becoming soil, a person’s body can nourish new life for generations, whether in memorial gardens, forests, or conservation sites.

If you’re curious about this green alternative to burial and cremation, you probably have questions. We’ve written many articles about human composting and end-of-life care. Here, we’ll bring it all together in a comprehensive guide.

What is human composting?

Human composting is the gentle, natural process of turning a person into soil.

The process takes place in a specially designed composting vessel, which is filled with plant material such as wood chips, straw, and alfalfa, along with other organic matter to support decomposition. Microbes work at the molecular level within the vessel, breaking down the body and organic material into nutrient-rich soil. This controlled environment harnesses the science of composting to produce real, healthy soil, allowing individuals to return to nature upon death and become part of a healthy, regenerating, and natural ecosystem. It also produces no net CO2, making it an eco-friendly alternative to burial and cremation.

Human composting is also known as soil transformation, terramation, recomposition, and natural organic reduction. While “natural organic reduction” is a more commonly used term in legislative texts, at Earth we call this process “soil transformation.”

How does human composting work?

The human composting process begins with gently washing the body and wrapping it in a biodegradable shroud. The body is then laid in a specially designed vessel with organic materials like mulch, wood chips, alfalfa, and wildflowers. These materials provide the necessary carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and moisture to facilitate decomposition.

The vessel is sealed and the process is carefully monitored to maintain the optimal temperature range of 130 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring effective decomposition and pathogen reduction. Microbes play a crucial role in breaking down the body and organic material into nutrient-rich soil over several weeks. The human composting process typically takes about 30 to 45 days, depending on the size of the body.

Sometimes, bones are removed and ground down to fine particles, then returned to the soil. Human composting mirrors natural cycles of life and decomposition, akin to how leaves decompose on a forest floor, enriching the soil with nutrients.

‍

{{CTA-14-question}}

‍

Where does human composting take place?

Human composting takes place in purpose-built facilities operated by specialized human composting companies, such as Earth Funeral. Earth Funeral operates in many states where natural organic reduction is available, providing eco-friendly end-of-life options. These facilities are designed to be serene and respectful places for honoring loved ones, and they vary slightly in their technology but universally focus on maintaining optimal conditions for the composting process, including temperature, moisture, and oxygen levels.

Natural organic reduction is not yet legal in all 50 states, but new bills are being introduced and passed each year, making it more accessible to a growing number of people. We have a tracker with up-to-date information on where human composting is legal and the status of bills in progress.

Why choose human composting over cremation, traditional burial, or natural burial?

This is a deeply personal choice. For some, the environmental benefits of human composting are a significant factor in choosing human composting. Unlike cremation, which relies on fossil fuels and releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere, human composting avoids the use of toxic embalming chemicals and prevents the release of pollutants often associated with cremation. Human composting prevents approximately one metric ton of carbon pollution for each person who chooses it over conventional burial or cremation, and the process uses 87% less energy than traditional cremation, which typically requires fossil fuels to maintain high temperatures. Research indicates that human composting and green burial options perform significantly better than cremation or conventional burial in reducing carbon emissions.(We’ll get into those in the next section.)

For others, human composting acknowledges a deeper connection to nature and an ecosystem beyond our lives. The nutrient-rich soil produced by human composting helps nourish the environment and capture carbon, helping sustain the environment beyond one’s lifetime.

Human composting also enables individuals to both choose and nourish a final resting place that is meaningful to them. By planting or scattering the soil of a loved one, their body becomes a part of the land and helps sustain it. This allows friends and family to visit their loved ones in a natural setting where trees, gardens, or plants can grow.

This green funeral option relieves some of the finality of death by nourishing something new. When soil transformation is used to nurture life, life goes on. This can be incredibly comforting to those who have lost someone and those who are planning for the end of a life.

How is human composting better for the environment?

Traditional burial practices can be resource-intensive, involving embalming chemicals, non-reusable caskets, and an increasingly large cemetery footprint. Cremation, while simpler and easier than burial, is a fossil fuel-driven process that releases significant carbon emissions and fine particles. One cremation typically emits about one metric ton of carbon, equivalent to driving over 600 miles.

In contrast, human composting is a gentle, eco-friendly alternative that not only avoids emissions but also produces approximately one cubic yard of nutrient-dense soil. This soil contributes to ecosystem health, nourishing new plant life and supporting restoration practices that benefit biodiversity, ecosystem revitalization, and carbon sequestration. Providers like Earth use renewable energy to power their facilities, further reducing the environmental impact.

How much soil does human composting produce?

The result of human composting is about one cubic yard of healthy soil. That’s enough to cover 100 square feet of land three inches deep – room for a significant amount of plants and trees.

Some families choose to take all of this soil, while others only keep a portion. We receive heartfelt stories from the families we’ve served, sharing the unique and profound ways they’ve used the soil, from starting gardens and planting trees to leaving the soil in cherished places around the world. Many choose to divide the soil among friends and family, allowing each loved one to grieve and memorialize in their own special way. When using returned soil for planting, potting, or spreading on public or private land, we recommend verifying and following all local laws and regulations, as these vary by location.

Soil can also be donated by families to aid land restoration projects and conservation efforts. At Earth, we send donated soil to our conservation projects to help support growth and nourish local land.

‍

{{CTA-webinar-1}}

‍

Human composting cost: How does it compare to traditional burial?

According to Funeralocity, the average cost of funerals with burial in the United States in 2026 is $8,600. Human composting typically costs between $5,000 and $7,000, making it generally less expensive than traditional burial, which can go up to $21,000. No matter what type of funeral you choose, it’s important to consider what is included in each price, as this varies significantly between providers. For more information on our pricing at Earth, you can request an instant quote.

How do I make arrangements for a human composting funeral?

A licensed funeral director can guide families through the entire process, from initial arrangements to final disposition, ensuring all legal and procedural requirements are met.

Funeral planning can be overwhelming, especially without pre-arrangements in place. In the event of an unexpected loss, family members are left to navigate their grief while also managing the responsibility of making funeral arrangements. At Earth, we have a dedicated care team available by phone and email, 24 hours a day. Call us at (877) 327-4109, and we'll walk you through the process of making immediate arrangements.

It's always beneficial to plan a funeral in advance. This allows you to clearly outline your wishes and pay for arrangements yourself, rather than leaving those decisions and costs to your loved ones. If you wish to have your own body transformed into soil, a prepaid plan will secure that option and protect your family from any future financial burden.

Planning a funeral in advance is also a good opportunity to think about other details related to your final days and how your life will be honored. Funeral planning is a deeply personal process and people have a wide range of desires. Human composting can be a meaningful part of broader plans. Some people incorporate the planting of a garden or tree in their celebration of life while others pass out soil to loved ones at a traditional funeral service.

‍

{{CTA-3}}

Where is human composting legal?

As of May 2026, human composting is legal in over a dozen states. Washington led the way in May 2019, and New Jersey became the 14th state to legalize it in September 2025. Currently, human composting is legal in Maine, Minnesota, Delaware, Maryland, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Washington, Oregon, Vermont, and Georgia.

Legislation to legalize human composting—often referred to as the 'garden bill' or by names like the 'Grandpa in the Garden bill'—has been introduced in over a dozen states, including Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia.

For the most up-to-date information on legislation, refer to our tracker.

Why is human composting not legal in my state yet?

People are catching on to the great benefits of human composting and pushing for legalization, but the legislative process can be slow. The funeral industry has, for the most part, only ever offered burial and cremation. With deep roots of tradition and history, people within the industry and the general public can be wary of change. Human composting has been available in the United States since 2019, when Washington became the first state to legalize the process. It continues to face industry hurdles, as well as cultural and legal ones.

Since funeral options are legislated state by state, each state must draft their own legislation, and that bill must then go through a lengthy process before becoming law. Current regulations for composting are often managed by funeral boards rather than environmental agencies, which can result in regulatory gaps. A growing number of people want this eco-friendly option to be available in their state, and we’ve seen new bills being drafted every year. As more individuals learn about and voice their support for human composting, states will continue to consider new bills that legalize this safe and sustainable practice.

Funeral industry perspective on human composting

The funeral industry is experiencing a period of change as more people seek eco-friendly alternatives to traditional burial and cremation. Human composting services are increasingly being offered by forward-thinking funeral homes, who recognize the growing demand for sustainable options. While some in the industry view human composting as a disruptive innovation that challenges long-standing practices, others see it as a valuable addition to their offerings, meeting the needs of families who want a green funeral.

Organizations like the National Funeral Directors Association have acknowledged this shift, providing guidance to funeral homes on how to incorporate human composting into their services. As more consumers express interest in natural organic reduction, the funeral industry is adapting—balancing respect for tradition with the desire to offer meaningful, environmentally friendly choices. This evolution ensures that families can honor their loved ones in ways that reflect both personal values and a commitment to the earth.

Religious views on human composting

Religious perspectives on human composting are diverse, reflecting a range of beliefs about the human body and our relationship with the environment. Some faith communities embrace human composting as an environmentally friendly and natural way to return to the earth, seeing it as a form of stewardship that honors creation. Others, such as the Catholic Church, have voiced concerns about whether the process respects the dignity of the human body, with organizations like the New York State Catholic Conference expressing reservations about its alignment with Catholic teaching.

Despite these concerns, some Catholic theologians and members of other faiths argue that caring for the environment through practices like human composting can be consistent with religious values, especially those emphasizing care for creation. Ultimately, the choice to pursue human composting is a personal one, shaped by individual beliefs, family traditions, and values. As this environmentally friendly option becomes more widely available, religious leaders and communities will continue to reflect on its meaning and provide guidance to those considering a gentle return to nature.

Is human composting the right option for you?

Human composting has been a comfort to countless individuals. When it’s the right option for you or someone you love, choosing it becomes an important part of the grieving process. Watching the soil of a loved one nurture new life can be life-changing and offer solace after loss.

The best advocates for human composting are those who have made this decision. You can read reviews from families who chose human composting for themselves or loved ones. Reading these first-hand experiences can offer a lot of reassurance when making this decision yourself.

To learn more about green funerals and human composting, give us a call at Earth Funeral. Our friendly and professional team is ready to assist you in exploring your options for planning a meaningful return to nature.