Human composting California

Human Composting in California

Earth Funeral offers human composting to families in California who want their final plans to reflect their environmental values. Whether you're in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, or a city in between, we offer a meaningful alternative to cremation or traditional burial.

A pair of human hands holding compost with a small green seedling growing through. Plants growing in soil in the background.

How human composting works in California

California body composting services

Choosing a natural human composting process for your final arrangements is a meaningful decision, and Earth is here to make it simple and to honor your wishes.

Eco-friendly

Our process produces no net CO2, versus the 535 lbs of CO2 produced by the average cremation (equivalent to a 600+ mile car journey).

Online convenience

Make arrangements in less than 15 minutes, manage everything online with the Earth Portal, and share obituaries with family and friends.

Exceptional care

Our Care Team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We update you at each stage of the process via email, SMS, and our online Portal.

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State-of-the-art facilities

Earth Funeral owns and operates three human composting facilities that serve California families. Our facilities are designed for peaceful, private, fully documented care. Transformations take place in proprietary stainless steel vessels, made in America, continuously monitored for temperature, moisture, and airflow. When families choose Earth Funeral, our Care Team coordinates transportation, receives your loved one, oversees the complete transformation, and handles soil return or donation.
Tour a facility online

Supporting land conservation

California is home to 33 million acres of forest covering about a third of the state, Redwood National and State Parks protecting the tallest trees on Earth, and Yosemite National Park in the heart of the Sierra Nevada. Each soil transformation produces roughly 250 lbs of nutrient-rich soil that California families can plant, spread, or share to nurture the land they love. Any remainder is donated to land conservation projects.

View conservation projects

The Earth package

This includes everything you need in California, taking place in the days immediately following the passing.

  • Services of a licensed funeral director
  • Collection & care from place of passing
  • Filing of all necessary paperwork & permits
  • An Earth soil transformation
  • The soil returned to your family
  • Manage everything in our online portal
Get an instant quote

Here when you need us

From immediate arrangements to future planning, we provide thoughtful guidance, care, and support for every situation, exactly when you need it.

Immediate need

For families who have recently lost a loved one.

For families who have recently lost a loved one.

Imminent need

For families expecting a loved one to pass in the next 6 months.

For families expecting a loved one to pass in the next 6 months.

Earth Prepaid

For individuals and couples planning for the future.

For individuals and couples planning for the future.

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Working with each California family like our own

With Earth's 3,400+ five-star reviews, families in California are finding comfort in our environmentally conscious end-of-life alternative.

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I appreciate the gentle kindness of the Earth process, and feel totally confident that I made the right decision. There was comfort in my decision, largely because I never felt pressured to “sign on the dotted line”, but was presented with all the information I needed to make the right decision for me, as well as my family.

Kris B., San Luis Obispo County, CA
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I’m very happy with my decision to go with Earth Funeral. I was planning my mother’s funeral arraignments and hadn’t realized the high cost for a traditional funeral (location, casket, burial, brass placque, etc…). I was astounded that they will charge you for every little item and will only use their contract providers. It was so sad to plan such a devastating event and then be shocked at the expenses. I am glad my remnants will be placed back to the soil and at a reasonable cost. I would recommend Earth Funeral to family and friends. I want to thank Chad for his patience, kindness, compassion and understanding. Thank you so much.

Cynthia M., Riverside County, CA
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Can I use Earth's human composting service if I live anywhere in California?

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Yes, in most cases. Whether you need immediate care or are planning ahead, if you live in California there's a good chance we can help. The easiest way to see what's available where you live is to create an instant quote here.

Earth serves families across California, from cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, and Fresno to counties like Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino, and many places in between.

If you're unsure whether we can help in your specific location, reach out to our Care Team and they'll confirm what's possible based on your location and timeline.

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Is human composting legal in California?

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Human composting has been legal in California since 2022 and is available to California residents from Earth Funeral, whether you need immediate care, are expecting a loss, or are planning ahead.

When someone asks if human composting is available in California, what they're really asking is: can I access this service as a California resident? And the answer is yes.

Earth Funeral serves families across California, including in cities like Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, and Anaheim and counties such as Sacramento, Alameda, Kern, Ventura, and Santa Clara, and many places in between.

Whether you're pre-planning, facing an imminent need, or making arrangements at the time of loss, we're here to guide you with clarity and care.

Start with an instant quote here to see what's available where you live.

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What can my family do with the soil?

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Each soil transformation produces roughly 250 lbs of nutrient-rich soil, and what your family does with it is entirely personal.

Families have used their soil to plant memorial gardens, nurture trees, and care for houseplants that serve as a living daily reminder of their loved one. Some choose to spread it somewhere meaningful, a favorite hiking trail, a cherished backyard, or a special outdoor place. As with any organic material, we always recommend verifying local rules and regulations before spreading soil on public or private land, as these vary by location.

Others divide it among family members, creating multiple places of remembrance across generations. Some even have a small portion crafted into memorial jewelry like rings, pendants, or lockets, so they can carry that connection wherever they go.

You can also mix soil with the remains of a pet or another loved one, or simply keep it for a future meaningful moment. For more inspiration, our soil guide shares real stories of how families honor their loved ones.

If you'd prefer not to keep all of it, Earth will donate the remainder to conservation projects, so every life continues to give back.

There's no single right answer. Every family's story is different, and we're here to help you find what feels most meaningful to yours.

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Can I plan ahead for myself or with a partner?

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Yes, and it's one of the most meaningful gifts you can give the people you love.

You can plan ahead for yourself or together with a partner, locking in today's pricing against future increases and sparing your family from more than 125 difficult decisions they'd otherwise face in the midst of grief.

Planning ahead means your family can focus on remembering and healing, not navigating logistics under pressure. If you'd like a comprehensive overview of everything involved, our complete guide to funeral pre-planning covers costs, documentation, and how to personalize your arrangements.

If you're planning with a partner, our Care Advisors can walk you through the process together, at your own pace and with no pressure.

Start with an instant quote here to see exactly what's available where you live, or schedule a complimentary consultation with a Care Advisor who can answer every question specific to your situation.

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Why do so many families choose Earth for human composting?

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Families choose Earth for many reasons, but at the heart of it is this: they want their final act to mean something.

For families who have spent their lives caring about the environment, soil transformation is the end-of-life option that gives back to the planet rather than taking from it. It produces no harmful emissions, requires no land, and creates living, nutrient-rich soil that can nurture new growth for generations. If you'd like to see how it compares, our environmental impact report breaks down the ecological footprint of every major disposition method, from traditional burial and cremation to aquamation and natural burial.

Beyond the environmental impact, families tell us that pre-planning with Earth brought them an unexpected sense of calm. Knowing their wishes are documented, their funds are protected, and their family won't be left making difficult decisions under pressure.

Practically speaking, Earth handles everything so families never have to navigate the logistics alone. Whether you're planning ahead, facing an imminent need, or making arrangements at the time of loss, a dedicated Care Advisor guides you through every step with clarity, warmth, and genuine care.

Thousands of families have chosen Earth.

The most common thing we hear: I wish I'd done it sooner.

California counties served

Alameda County

Alameda

Albany

Emeryville

Hayward

Livermore

Newark

Piedmont

Pleasanton

San Leandro

Union City

Contra Costa County

Antioch

Brentwood

Clayton

Concord

Danville

El Cerrito

Hercules

Lafayette

Martinez

Moraga

Oakley

Orinda

Pinole

Pittsburg

Pleasant Hill

Richmond

San Pablo

San Ramon

Walnut Creek

Fresno County

Clovis

Coalinga

Firebaugh

Fowler

Huron

Kerman

Kingsburg

Mendota

Orange Cove

Parlier

Reedley

San Joaquin

Sanger

Selma

Kern County

Arvin

California City

Delano

Maricopa

McFarland

Ridgecrest

Shafter

Taft

Tehachapi

Wasco

Los Angeles County

Agoura Hills

Alhambra

Arcadia

Artesia

Avalon

Azusa

Baldwin Park

Bell

Bell Gardens

Bellflower

Beverly Hills

Bradbury

Calabasas

Carson

Cerritos

Claremont

Commerce

Compton

Covina

Cudahy

Culver City

Diamond Bar

Downey

El Monte

El Segundo

Gardena

Glendale

Glendora

Hawaiian Gardens

Hawthorne

Hermosa Beach

Hidden Hills

Huntington Park

Industry

Inglewood

Irwindale

La Canada Flintridge

La Habra Heights

La Mirada

La Puente

La Verne

Lakewood

Lancaster

Lawndale

Lomita

Lynwood

Malibu

Manhattan Beach

Maywood

Monrovia

Montebello

Monterey Park

Norwalk

Palmdale

Palos Verdes Estates

Paramount

Pico Rivera

Pomona

Rancho Palos Verdes

Redondo Beach

Rolling Hills

Rolling Hills Estates

Rosemead

San Dimas

San Fernando

San Gabriel

San Marino

Santa Clarita

Santa Fe Springs

Sierra Madre

Signal Hill

South El Monte

South Gate

South Pasadena

Temple City

Vernon

Walnut

West Covina

West Hollywood

Westlake Village

Whittier

DuPont

Marin County

Belvedere

Corte Madera

Fairfax

Larkspur

Mill Valley

Novato

Ross

San Anselmo

Sausalito

Tiburon

Monterey County

Carmel-By-The-Sea

Del Rey Oaks

Gonzales

Greenfield

King City

Marina

Pacific Grove

Salinas

Sand City

Soledad

Seaside

Napa County

American Canyon

Calistoga

Napa

St Helena

Yountville

Orange County

Aliso Viejo

Anaheim

Brea

Buena Park

Costa Mesa

Cypress

Dana Point

Fountain Valley

Fullerton

Garden Grove

Huntington Beach

Irvine

La Habra

La Palma

Laguna Beach

Laguna Hills

Laguna Niguel

Laguna Woods

Lake Forest

Los Alamitos

Mission Viejo

Newport Beach

Placentia

Rancho Santa Margarita

San Clemente

San Juan Capistrano

Santa Ana

Stanton

Tustin

Villa Park

Westminster

Yorba Linda

SeaTac

Riverside County

Banning

Beaumont

Blythe

Calimesa

Canyon Lake

Cathedral City

Coachella

Corona

Desert Hot Springs

Eastvale

Hemet

Indian Wells

Indio

Jurupa Valley

La Quinta

Lake Elsinore

Menifee

Moreno Valley

Murrieta

Norco

Palm Desert

Perris

Rancho Mirage

San Jacinto

Temecula

Wildomar

Sacramento County

Citrus Heights

Elk Grove

Galt

Isleton

Rancho Cordova

San Bernardino County

Adelanto

Apple Valley

Barstow

Big Bear Lake

Chino

Colton

Fontana

Grand Terrace

Hesperia

Highland

Loma Linda

Montclair

Needles

Rancho Cucamonga

Redlands

Rialto

Twentynine Palms

Upland

Victorville

Yucaipa

Yucca Valley

San Diego County

Carlsbad

Chula Vista

Coronado

Del Mar

El Cajon

Imperial Beach

La Mesa

Lemon Grove

National City

Oceanside

Poway

San Marcos

Santee

Solana Beach

Vista

San Mateo County

Atherton

Belmont

Brisbane

Burlingame

Colma

Daly City

East Palo Alto

Foster City

Half Moon Bay

Hillsborough

Menlo Park

Millbrae

Pacifica

Portola Valley

Redwood City

San Bruno

San Carlos

San Mateo

South San Francisco

Woodside

Santa Barbara County

Buellton

Carpinteria

Goleta

Guadalupe

Lompoc

Santa Maria

Solvang

Santa Clara County

Campbell

Cupertino

Gilroy

Los Altos

Los Altos Hills

Los Gatos

Milpitas

Monte Sereno

Morgan Hill

Mountain View

Santa Clara

Saratoga

Sunnyvale

Santa Cruz County

Capitola

Scotts Valley

Watsonville

Solano County

Benicia

Dixon

Rio Vista

Suisun City

Vacaville

Vallejo

Sonoma County

Cloverdale

Cotati

Healdsburg

Petaluma

Rohnert Park

Windsor

Ventura County

Camarillo

Fillmore

Moorpark

Ojai

Oxnard

Port Hueneme

Santa Paula

Simi Valley

Thousand Oaks

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