Human composting as alternative to burial and cremation gets final approval by Delaware lawmakers

By RANDALL CHASE
Associated Press

DOVER, Del. (AP) — The Delaware Senate has given final approval to a bill allowing the composting of human bodies as an alternative to burial or cremation. The measure passed on a 14-7 vote Thursday and now goes to Democratic Gov. John Carney. The legislation authorizes a practice called natural organic reduction, which is often referred to as human composting. The practice is currently legal in seven other states. Supporters say it is an environmentally friendly and less costly alternative to traditional burials and cremation. They say human composting uses less energy and doesn’t involve the use of formaldehyde or the release of carbon dioxide and mercury into the atmosphere.