New York becomes sixth state to allow human composting

New York state has approved human composting as an end-of-life option, becoming the sixth state to do so after Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, and California.

The process converts a deceased human body into soil over several weeks. It is thought to be more sustainable than cremation or burial, and at the end of the process, the loved one’s family can receive the soil to plant flowers, vegetables, or trees.

According to BBC News, the path to approval wasn’t a straightforward one. Catholic Bishops opposed the process, saying it treated the human body like waste, and other groups have complained that the $7,000 price tag is exploitative. However, Recompose, a Washington company that opened one of the world’s first human composting facilities, says the cost is in line with other end-of-life options.