Typically, when a loved one shuffles off this mortal coil, the family begins a process of working with a funeral home to prepare the body for burial in a cemetery. Other decedents may opt for cremation. But another option became available in New York State yesterday. People are now allowed to opt for what is called “human composting.” This process involves putting the departed’s body into an urn with some natural, organic materials and leaving it for a month or so until it naturally decomposes into soil which can then be introduced into the earth. This has resulted in some complaining on both social media and local news outlets, with some New Yorkers declaring that this is disrespectful of human life and an affront to the recently deceased. (Associated Press)

Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation on Saturday to legalize natural organic reduction, popularly known as human composting, making New York the sixth state in the nation to allow that method of burial.

Washington state became the first state to legalize human composting in 2019, followed by Colorado and Oregon in 2021, and Vermont and California in 2022.

The process goes like this: the body of the deceased is placed into a reusable vessel along with plant material such as wood chips, alfalfa and straw. The organic mix creates the perfect habitat for naturally occurring microbes to do their work, quickly and efficiently breaking down the body in about a month’s time.

It’s somewhat odd that Governor Kathy Hochul signed this measure into law as one of her final acts before being officially sworn into office for her first full term as the elected governor of New York. (She signed the bill on Saturday.) I will also note that the term “human composting” is rather offputting, despite being accurate, so negative reactions should probably have been expected.

With all of that said, however, I can’t bring myself to object to this option if that’s what the deceased person requested. New York isn’t really breaking new ground here, no pun intended. Five other states have already allowed this method of disposing of human remains over the past few years. And the decision as to how one’s remains are handled is among the most personal that any of us will eventually make.

Being in my sixties, my wife and I have already taken all of the responsible, preparatory steps in this regard. We engaged an attorney to set up our wills and brought in a friend who manages a funeral home to make all of the required arrangements, paying for the services in advance so our families wouldn’t have to deal with that burden when the time comes. I seriously considered opting for a “green burial,” rather than a plot in a cemetery with a headstone.

As far as the claims regarding “disrespecting” the remains go, Americans have allowed cremation as a legal option since the 1870s. How is literally burning a body to ashes and scattering them somewhere or burying people without a coffin so they can naturally decompose any more “respectful” than composting? In the end, your body is not “who” you are. Whatever your beliefs may be about the soul or human consciousness, once you’ve passed on, your body is a discarded vessel. As most people are told fairly early in life, funerals are for the living, not the dead. If some people prefer to be “composted” after they pass, whose business is it besides theirs?