Human Composting in California: Is It Legal Yet?

Are you curious about human composting in California? California passed a law in 2022 to allow it, but in-state facilities will open in 2027. This article covers the law, how the process works, the timeline and your real options right now.

So if a loved one passes today, what can you actually do? The team at After is here to walk you through your options with transparency, care and zero pressure. You can call us 24/7 at 1-844-760-0427.

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What Is Human Composting?

Human composting turns a person's remains into soil through a natural process. It goes by a few names: natural organic reduction, terramation or soil transformation. The science is the same for all of them.

The remains go into a vessel with wood chips, straw and alfalfa. Microbes that already live on the body break everything down over 30 to 90 days. The result is about one cubic yard of dark, fertile soil, enough to fill a pickup truck bed.

Families can take all or part of that soil home. They plant trees with it, add it to a garden or scatter it in a place that meant something to their loved one. Any soil the family doesn't want goes to land restoration projects.

Is Human Composting Legal in California?

Yes, California made human composting legal in September 2022. Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 351 into law on September 18, 2022. This is the third California bill to attempt legalization.

Part of what pushed it forward was the COVID-19 pandemic. So many people were cremated during that period that emissions broke local air district limits.

California was the 5th state to pass this kind of law. By the end of 2022, six states had legalized human composting. Washington, Colorado, Oregon and Vermont passed similar laws first. New York followed a few months later, becoming the 6th state. 

Today, human composting is legal in 14 states: Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada and New Jersey (facilities open around July 2026), in addition to the original six.

But there's a catch: no in-state facilities will open until 2027. That gives the California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau time to write the rules. It also gives funeral homes time to update how they work. 

So human composting is legal in California, but you can't do it inside the state yet.

Why California Families Are Interested in Human Composting

Interest in human composting has grown for two main reasons: its environmental benefits and its personal meaning for families.

Traditonal burial uses embalming chemicals that can seep into soil and water. Cemetery plots take up more land every year. Cremation releases roughly 535 lbs of CO2 per person, about the same as a 609-mile car trip.

Human composting doesn't create those same emissions. The soil it makes also feeds new plant life, so it gives something back.

On a personal level, many Californians like the idea of returning to the earth. Families who have done it often say it helped them grieve. They talk about planting a tree with the soil or keeping a garden where they feel close to the person they lost.

How the Human Composting Process Works

The process moves through four stages. The timing can vary a little by provider, but here's how it works in most cases:

• Lying in: The individual is placed in a vessel with natural organic materials. Families can take part in this step. Some add flowers, letters or other organic items that hold meaning.
• Transformation: Microbes inside the vessel break the remains down and raise the heat to around 150°F. That level of heat kills harmful pathogens. This stage takes about five to seven weeks.
• Curing: Once the breakdown is complete, the soil cures for another three to five weeks. Non-organic items like surgical screws or joint implants are taken out and recycled at this stage.
• Delivery: The finished soil goes back to the family in biodegradable containers. Families take what they want. Providers donate the rest to conservation projects.

From the time of death to soil delivery, the whole process takes around 2 to 3 months.

What Are the Options for California Residents Right Now?

There are no in-state facilities yet, so California residents who want this option today have to arrange transport to a provider in another state. 

Several providers already serve California families this way:

Washington State is the most common choice, where human composting has been legal since 2019. Providers in Washington work with a local California funeral home to move the individual to their facility. Once the process is done, they ship the soil back or donate any portion the family doesn't want.

Human composting costs between $4,000 and $7,000, depending on the provider, with a median price in 2024 of $5,500. That's roughly half the cost of a traditional burial when you take burial plot fees into account. Keep in mind that transport from California adds to that total, and the cost varies with distance.

How to Plan Ahead for Human Composting in California

If you're thinking about human composting for yourself or a loved one, starting now makes things much easier later. Here are the most useful steps to take:

• Research providers: Look into facilities in Washington, Colorado or other states that offer the service. Get clear on what's included, how long it takes and what it costs.
• Talk to your family: Make sure the people closest to you know your wishes. That way, they won't have to guess or make hard calls during an already painful time.
• Get your plan in writing: Pre-planning lets you lock in your wishes. Some providers offer prepaid plans that also protect against future price increases.
• Think about the soil: Decide where you'd want it to go, a family property, a conservation site or somewhere that meant a lot to you.

Some people make these plans years ahead of time. Many families find it helpful to start cremation planning once a loved one enters hospice care, while there's still time to think clearly and choose without added stress.

Religious and Cultural Views on Human Composting

How different faith traditions feel about human composting is one of the most common questions families ask. 

The California Catholic Conference raised concerns during the 2022 hearings. They argued that scattering composted remains could be seen as undignified and pointed out that the research was limited. Even so, providers like Recompose have served many Catholic families.

Some have had priests bless the individual before the process, and bless the soil once it was done. In Jewish communities, some rabbis have looked at how human composting might fit with traditional death care practices.

A few have begun writing prayers and rituals centered on soil transformation.

For many Californians, the process lines up with values they hold about the earth and about what it means to live and die well. It's a personal choice, and most providers are used to helping families from many different backgrounds find a path that feels right.

Is Cremation Still a Good Option for California Families?

For many California families, direct cremation is the most practical choice right now, especially since human composting won't be available in-state until 2027.

Direct cremation skips the funeral service and embalming. It's a simpler, more private process that still leaves room for a meaningful send-off, whether that's a small gathering at home, a scattering ceremony or something you plan on your own terms.

At After, direct cremation comes with clear, upfront pricing you can check right now by entering your zip code at our website. No hidden fees and no pressure.

Families who need flexible payment options can use LilyPay to spread payments across 3 or 6 months for a flat fee. LilyPay also supports crowdfunding through Community Gardens to help cover cremation costs.

Are you exploring human composting California options or trying to find the best path forward for your family? The team at After is here to help you sort through your options with transparency, care and zero pressure. You can call us 24/7 at 1-844-760-0427 or explore cremation plans online.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Human Composting Legal in California?

Yes, human composting is legal in California. Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 351 into law on September 18, 2022. In-state facilities aren’t allowed to open until 2027, which gives state regulators time to put the rules in place.

Can I Choose Human Composting for a Loved One Who Has Already Passed?

Yes, you can still choose human composting for a loved one who has already passed. Providers in Washington and other states can arrange transport from California. A local funeral home brings your loved one into their care first, then handles the transfer to the composting facility.

How Long Does Human Composting Take?

Human composting takes roughly 2 to 3 months from the time of death to soil delivery. The exact timeline depends on the provider and how quickly paperwork is completed. Most families receive the soil within about three months.

How Much Does Human Composting Cost?

Human composting costs between $4,000 and $7,000, depending on the provider, with most families paying around $5,500. Transport from California will add to that total, and the amount depends on the distance. 

Direct cremation costs much less and is available throughout California right now.

When Will Human Composting Be Available in California?

Human composting will be available in California starting in 2027. That’s when in-state facilities can legally open, once the California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau finishes writing the rules. Until then, out-of-state providers can still serve California families.

Is Direct Cremation a Good Alternative While I Wait?

Yes, direct cremation is a good alternative while you wait for in-state facilities to open. It’s simple, affordable and available throughout California right now.