New York has approved natural organic reduction (N.O.R.), also known as human composting. Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed legislation legalizing this option, making New York the sixth state in the nation to allow this method of burial. Washington State approved it in 2019. Oregon, Colorado, California, and Vermont have also approved it. See CBS News December 31, 2022 posting re the N.Y. decision.
When BBC News posted this news, they added that “Human composting is already legal throughout Sweden. And natural burials – in which a body is buried without a coffin or with a biodegradable coffin – are permitted in the UK.”
Today the Boston Globe has posted an article titled, “Would you want to be composted after you die? Mass. lawmakers want to make it an option.” Staff writer Dharma Noor reached out for comment from FCAEM and us; Sandy Ward spoke with her late yesterday. This article will probably be in the print edition tomorrow.