Delaware has become the ninth US state to legalize Natural Organic Reduction as disposition choice for families.
Leaders approved the change in March 2024, and it was signed into law in May.
Human composting is officially legal in the First State, making Delaware the 10th state to allow the alternative funerary practice.
Here’s how Delaware legislators made it happen.
What is human composting?
Burial or cremation are the common ways human remains are disposed of. Human composting offers an alternative by allowing the human body to decompose in a “gentle, respectful process that accelerates the decomposition of human remains to soil,” according to a bill summary on the Delaware General Assembly website.
The process uses large vessels to hold human remains together with wood chips, straw or other natural materials for about 30 days, during which the human remains and organic materials are mixed with warm air and periodically turned. This results in the body breaking down until only a soil material remains, which can then be given to the deceased’s family.
According to the bill proposal, natural organic reduction is considered to be more eco-friendly than cremation, as the practice does not use formaldehyde or release carbon dioxide and mercury into the atmosphere and uses one-eighth of the energy of cremation.
HB 162 passed with an amendment stating that there are restrictions on any remains from a person who had or is suspected of having a viral or other health risk that the Delaware Division of Public Health determines may not be eliminated during the human composting process. The bill also states that remains cannot be composted if a person dies due to a radiological incident or if their body contains radioactive implants.
Previous reporting:Delaware legislators overwhelmingly support new human composting bill. What to know
House Bill 162 background
House Bill 162, an effort to allow human composting in the First State, was introduced in 2023 by Rep. Sean Lynn, a Democrat in District 31 in Dover.
HB 162 received near-unanimous approval in the state House when it passed with a vote of 37-2 on Jan. 23. From there, it awaited consideration in the Senate until it was granted a passing vote of 14 to 7 on March 21.
Human composting legalized in Delaware
After nearly two months since a passing vote on the Senate floor, Gov. John Carney signed Delaware’s human composting bill into law on May 16, making the First State the 10th state in the nation to allow the alternative to cremation and burial. It is effective immediately.
Read the complete article at DelawareOnline.com