Anyone who is familiar with Cremation.Green knows we’re big proponents of disposition freedom. We believe all safe forms of disposition should be allowed across the country so that all Americans have every option available.
Water cremation and natural organic reduction (NOR) are two options that have been proven safe, effective and extremely eco-friendly. In the case of water cremation, there’s a long history of its use at medical facilities. And yet, both are offered in a limited number of states.
Natural organic reduction in particular has been restricted to just seven states until recently. To be fair, NOR is relatively new. However, there’s much more to it than novelty. NOR, also known as human composting, solves a lot of problems with modern day funeral services:
- Instead of taking up land, NOR produces nutrient-rich soil that’s used for land conservation.
- NOR doesn’t pollute the ground or the air.
- NOR minimizes the use of natural resources.
- NOR is more cost-effective than a traditional burial.
- The family can still be involved and receive some of the soil.
In many ways, natural organic reduction meets needs without making a negative impact. It’s also much closer to the way disposition naturally occurred before the modern day funeral industry came about. The only thing closer is natural burial.
Because we all must make or will need funeral arrangements at some point, it’s good to know which states offer residents the most disposition options.
Where Natural Organic Reduction is Now Legal
At the end of 2023, just seven states had legalized human composting. That number quickly changed about six months later. Since April of 2024, five more states have taken action to legalize NOR. That means the number has nearly doubled in less than a year. At that pace, by this time next year close to half the country would allow natural organic reduction.
While it may still take a little time for NOR services to become available in the additional states, it’s very encouraging to see such amazing progress in such a short amount of time.
States that allow natural organic reduction include:
Arizona – NOR approved April, 2024*
California – NOR approved September, 2022
Colorado – NOR approved September, 2021
Delaware – NOR approved May, 2024*
Maine – NOR approved June, 2024*
Maryland – NOR approved May, 2024*
Minnesota – NOR approved May, 2024*
Nevada – NOR approved May, 2023
New York – NOR approved December, 2022
Oregon – NOR approved June, 2021
Vermont – NOR approved June, 2022
Washington – NOR approved May, 2019
It’s hard to believe that natural organic reduction was first legalized just five years ago in Washington State. Although it’s a dramatically different type of disposition, NOR has seen great adoption by forward-thinking states that have put personal bias aside in favor of giving people disposition freedom.
Why More States Are approving NOR
This stark upward trend may seem sudden, but to funeral industry insiders it’s a long time coming. It’s also what’s needed to really bolster the alternative services into the mainstream.
As we’ve stated in the past, the reluctance to approve new eco-friendly forms of disposition is largely a matter of public education and legislatures doing what’s best for the general public. There have been a lot of misconceptions, some of which have been purposely put out there to make NOR seem like something it’s not. As people become more informed and the bias diminishes, we expect to see greater adoption for new forms of disposition.
Environmental factors are another reason more states are expanding funeral services to allow for natural organic reduction and water cremation. The growing eco cost of traditional funeral services continues to add up every day. With each traditional burial we put more toxins in the ground and use up more precious resources. With each traditional cremation air pollution is generated and fossil fuels are burned.
Each state that legalizes natural organic reduction gives other states one more reason to follow suit and make more funeral services available.
Where Natural Organic Reduction May Be Legal Next
We weren’t exaggerating when we said that more states would likely legalize natural organic reduction soon. Although 2024 was a busy year for NOR approvals, 2025 could see even bigger changes to state legislature across the U.S. Below is a quick look at states that are already in the progress of legalizing NOR.
Connecticut – A panel within the state Department of Public Health is reviewing HB06485 for a decision on whether to legalize NOR.
Illinois – Bill HB3158 has moved on to the Senate Assignments Committee where it is being considered.
Massachusetts – Currently, there is a study order being done to analyze both NOR and aquamation.
New Jersey – A new version of Bill S3610 was introduced in an effort to legalize natural organic reduction.
New Mexico – New Mexico’s legislature is considering Bill SB407, which would legalize natural organic reduction.
Oklahoma – Bill SB 1637 would allow for natural organic reduction in the state.
Rhode Island – Bill H 7212 legalizing NOR is being considered.
Utah – If passed, Bill HB 1324-FN would establish regulations for natural organic reduction.
Virginia – A group of embalmers and funeral directors are studying natural organic reduction to make recommendations for changes to the legislature.
You may have noticed that our home state of Texas isn’t on the list. Currently, there’s no new legislature up for consideration that would legalize natural organic reduction or aquamation.
While there may not be updates to the legislature to allow for the newest forms of disposition, we are ensuring that families in Texas have all the choices available. We’ve partnered with funeral homes in neighboring states to coordinate water cremation and natural organic reduction services. Our team will handle all of the logistics so that you get the disposition you truly want.
Contact us any hour of the day to learn more about how water cremation and natural organic reduction services are arranged.
