California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill that will make human composting a legal burial option in the state in 2027.
A human composting burial method or natural organic reduction (NOR) lets a body decompose into soil, which takes about 30 to 60 days. The soil can then be given back to the family of the deceased, much like how cremated remains are treated.
The bill, Assembly Bill 351, was signed by Newsom on Sept. 18. It was first introduced by Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens).
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a bill signing ceremony at Nido’s Backyard Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco on Feb. 9, 2022. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
“Wildfires, extreme drought, record heat waves reminds us that climate change is real and we must do everything we can to reduce methane & CO2 emissions,” Garcia tweeted in response to Newsom signing the bill….