Thank you for your interest in expanding legalization of Natural Organic Reduction (aka human composting) in the U.S.
Composting bills have been passed in fourteen states including Washington, Oregon, Vermont, Maine, Georgia, Colorado, Nevada, California, Arizona, Maryland, Delaware, Minnesota, New York and New Jersey thanks to people like you!
As bills progress through the legislative process you can make an impact by voicing your support of the bill through email and letters, at designated times. Get alerts about upcoming campaigns by following us @ordergooddeath on Bluesky, Facebook and Twitter, visiting our Calls to Action page, or by signing up for our newsletter.
Remember, your representatives can’t advocate for something they don’t know about! NOR is a new and still relatively unknown option for most people. Find your representatives, research their preferred method of contact (this could be email, phone, or even tagging them on social media). Let them know that you would like NOR as an option, what the benefits are, and why it is important to you.
While an idea for a new law often comes from regular citizens like you, only a legislator such as a Senator or Assemblymember can submit the proposal for a new law, called a bill, so finding a representative who believes in NOR and will sponsor it is crucial. Setting up an in-person meeting with your Representatives will be the most effective way to advocate for your idea.
When you meet your representative introduce yourself as a constituent who lives in their district. Briefly outline what NOR is, what the benefits are, and why you want it as a choice. It’s a good idea to have written materials prepared that you can leave with them, including your contact info – this FAQ sheet is a good example of the kind of information you will want to include. Be sure to follow up with a hand written thank you letter.
Share your enthusiasm for composting on your favorite social media platform by spreading the word, sharing facts and information. You can be prepared to answer common questions with the help of our FAQ guide. Download and share one of our free graphics, link to our resource page on human composting, or use one of these template posts:
Everyone deserves the right to choose death care that is meaningful for them. My choice is composting.
I want to be composted when I die because I want my final act to help, not harm the earth.
I want to be composted because I care about people and the planet.
Stories are also a helpful way to engage people, here’s some of our favorite articles and videos to help get conversations started and keep them going:
The Quest to Alter Our Last ‘Toxic” Act: Inside the Rise of Human Composting (LA Times)
Human Composting: The Rising Interest in Natural Burial (CBS Sunday Morning)
If You Want to Give Something Back to Nature, Give Your Body (NY Times)
‘My Brother Didn’t Want a Burial. He Chose to Put His Body to Good Use’ (Newsweek)
Here is a short letter/email based on templates created in previous legislation efforts.
I am writing to express my support for the creation of a bill that would allow (your state here) residents with natural organic reduction, a safe and sustainable death care option that has recently been legalized in twelve states. This process would provide (your state’s) residents with a funeral option that offers significant savings in carbon emissions, water, and land usage over conventional burial or cremation.
Cremation requires fossil fuels and emits CO2 into the atmosphere, polluting our air and contributing to climate change. Conventional burials with a casket leach chemicals into the ground from the treated casket wood and embalming chemicals. One metric ton of carbon is prevented from being emitted into the atmosphere for every individual who chooses NOR over conventional burial or cremation.
Burial space across the United States is becoming limited, especially in more urban areas. This leads to the increased cost of death-care options for individuals and their families. As cemeteries begin to fill up and land is less available for burial plots, people are looking for more sustainable death care practices. The creation of a bill allowing natural organic reduction in (your state) would create additional options for death care practice that is more environmentally friendly and sustainable. (Your state) residents deserve the right to choose a death care option that is meaningful for them and their families. Natural organic reduction is my choice because ___________.
(your name, state, contact information)
Together, we can create a more eco-friendly, meaningful, and equitable future of death!