Terramation vs. Aquamation: Which Is Greener? (colloquially referred to as human composting)

Both terramation and aquamation are significantly greener than conventional burial and meaningfully greener than cremation. Between the two, neither wins on every environmental metric — the answer depends on which outcomes matter most to you. This article explains how each process works, compares them across key environmental dimensions, and gives you the honest picture families and environmental advocates deserve.

Which is greener — terramation or aquamation?

Both are dramatically greener than cremation and conventional burial, but neither wins on every metric. Terramation has a slight edge on direct energy use, water consumption, and positive ecological output — the biologically active soil it produces actively benefits ecosystems. Aquamation is available in approximately 25 or more states versus terramation's 14, takes hours rather than weeks, and produces bone fragments similar to cremation ash. Both share the same limitation regarding prion diseases, which neither process fully eliminates the way high-temperature cremation does.

Both terramation and aquamation are substantially greener than cremation and conventional burial — choosing either is a meaningful environmental improvement.
Terramation has a slight edge on water use (aquamation requires hundreds of gallons per case) and produces a positive ecological output — biologically active soil that benefits ecosystems.
Aquamation is available in approximately 25 or more states versus terramation's 14, and completes in hours rather than weeks to months — making it more immediately accessible for many families.
Terramation soil is stable organic carbon that sequesters carbon when deposited in land; aquamation produces bone fragments (processed ash) and liquid effluent discharged to wastewater.
Neither aquamation nor terramation fully destroys prion proteins — this shared limitation compared to high-temperature cremation is handled via special protocols by both types of providers.
Consumer pricing for both processes is broadly similar — approximately $3,000 to $8,000 or more — and both are generally less expensive than a full traditional funeral with burial.

What Is Aquamation?

Aquamation — formally known as alkaline hydrolysis — is a water-based disposition process that uses a heated alkaline solution to accelerate the natural breakdown of the body. The deceased is placed in a stainless steel chamber filled with water and a potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide solution. Under heat and pressure, the soft tissue dissolves over a period of several hours, leaving behind bone fragments (similar in texture and appearance to cremated remains) and a liquid effluent that is generally disposed of through the municipal wastewater system.

Aquamation produces no fire, no smoke, and significantly less CO₂ than cremation. It is currently legal in approximately 25 or more states — making it considerably more available than terramation, which is legal in 14 states as of April 2026. Providers who offer aquamation include funeral homes with alkaline hydrolysis equipment installed, as well as standalone aquamation providers.

The remains returned to families from aquamation are bone fragments — typically processed into a fine powder similar to cremated ash. Families can scatter these, keep them in an urn, or inter them in a cemetery.

What Is Terramation?

Terramation — also called natural organic reduction (NOR) or natural organic reduction — is an aerobic composting-based process in which the body is placed in a vessel with organic materials such as wood chips, straw, and alfalfa. Microbial activity, carefully managed through temperature, oxygen, and moisture conditions, breaks down the body over a period of several weeks to a few months, depending on the system.

The result is approximately one-half cubic yard of nutrient-rich soil. Families can receive all or part of this soil, use it in a garden, donate it to a conservation project, or return it to a natural landscape. Terramation is currently legal in 14 states: Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, California, New York, Nevada, Arizona, Maryland, Delaware, Minnesota, Maine, Georgia, and New Jersey. Note that California, New York, and New Jersey are legal but not yet operational.

For full detail on state-by-state availability, see our NOR state legal guide.

How Do They Compare Environmentally?

Carbon Footprint

This is where both processes have a clear advantage over cremation and traditional burial. Cremation is energy-intensive — burning natural gas or propane at high temperatures releases CO₂ both from the combustion itself and from the fuel. Traditional burial with concrete vaults and manufactured caskets carries significant materials and manufacturing emissions.

Aquamation uses significantly less energy than cremation — estimates typically cite 90% less energy than flame cremation, though figures vary by equipment and facility. The process does require heated water over several hours, which has an energy cost.

Terramation uses far less direct energy — the composting process is largely self-sustaining once the microbial activity begins. However, it takes longer and requires ongoing management over weeks or months. Washington State University research on human NOR found that terramation produces significantly less greenhouse gas than cremation, noting the carbon-sequestration value of the resulting soil.

Overall: Both aquamation and terramation have substantially lower carbon footprints than cremation. Terramation may have a slight edge in direct energy use; aquamation may have an advantage in process duration.

Water Use

Aquamation uses significant quantities of water — typically hundreds of gallons per case, depending on the system and body size. The liquid effluent must be discharged appropriately, typically into the municipal wastewater system, which then requires treatment. Some jurisdictions have raised questions about this discharge, though most wastewater treatment authorities have found it acceptable.

Terramation uses relatively little water. Moisture management is part of the process, but the amounts are far smaller than what aquamation requires.

Edge: Terramation on water use.

Soil and Land Impact

This is perhaps the most significant qualitative difference between the two processes:

Terramation produces soil. That soil can be returned to a landscape, planted into a garden, or donated to a reforestation or conservation project. The humus produced in the process is stable organic carbon — a form of carbon that remains in the soil for years or decades, contributing to carbon sequestration and ecosystem health. There is a positive ecological output.

Aquamation produces bone fragments (processed ash) and liquid effluent. The bone fragments can be scattered or interred, but they do not carry the ecological benefit of NOR soil. The liquid is a resource in some formulations — some providers discuss the effluent as a potential soil amendment — but in practice it is typically discharged as wastewater.

Edge: Terramation on positive ecological output.

Land Use for Facilities

Both processes require dedicated facility space. Aquamation chambers are compact and can fit within a standard funeral home with relatively modest space requirements. NOR vessels are larger and require more operational space, particularly if a funeral home is running multiple vessels simultaneously.

Neither process permanently removes land from productive use the way cemetery burial does. Both are therefore preferable to conventional burial on land use.

Similar: Both avoid the permanent land commitment of burial.

Prion Handling

This is an area where both aquamation and terramation face the same limitation — and it is worth being honest about it. Prion diseases (such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease) involve misfolded proteins that are extraordinarily resistant to destruction. Cremation at high temperatures does destroy prions. Aquamation does NOT fully destroy prions, according to research from the University of Alberta and other sources. Terramation likewise does not fully destroy prions through the composting process.

Both aquamation and terramation providers handle prion cases under special protocols, often declining to accept bodies from individuals known to have had prion diseases. This is not unique to either process — it is a shared limitation compared to high-temperature flame cremation. Families with concerns about prion disease should discuss this directly with their chosen provider.

Equal limitation: Neither aquamation nor terramation fully addresses prion disease — this limitation is shared by both processes.

Which Is More Available?

As of April 2026, aquamation is available in approximately 25 or more states, while terramation is legal in 14 states (with California, New York, and New Jersey not yet operational). Families in many states who want a greener alternative to cremation or burial have aquamation as a more immediately accessible option, while terramation may require travel or waiting for legalization in their state.

Aquamation is also offered by a broader network of funeral homes because the equipment is generally less capital-intensive per unit and the regulatory pathway has been established in more states for longer.

What Do They Cost?

Consumer pricing for both processes falls in a broadly similar range. Terramation typically costs $3,000–$8,000 or more based on publicly available pricing from established NOR providers. Aquamation pricing from funeral homes and standalone providers falls in a similar range, though pricing varies significantly by market and provider.

Both are generally less expensive than a full-service traditional funeral with burial, and somewhat more expensive than direct cremation.

So Which Is Greener?

Both are dramatically better than conventional burial and meaningfully better than cremation by most environmental metrics. Choosing either over cremation or burial is a significant positive step.

Between the two:

Terramation has a slight edge on direct energy use, water consumption, and positive ecological output (the soil).
Aquamation has a wider availability footprint and a shorter process duration.
Both share the same prion limitation compared to cremation.
The right choice depends on your state, your provider options, what you value most environmentally, and what kind of physical remains you want returned.

There is no objectively “greener” winner — and any source that claims otherwise is probably oversimplifying. What both processes represent is a meaningful shift away from the most environmentally costly end-of-life practices, toward something that respects both the person and the planet.

For more on the NOR process itself, see our complete guide to natural organic reduction. For planning a low-waste funeral around terramation, see our article on zero-waste funerals and terramation.

FAQ

Is aquamation legal in more states than terramation?

Yes. As of early 2026, aquamation (alkaline hydrolysis) is legal in approximately 25 or more states, while terramation is legal in 14 states. Aquamation had a legislative head start, and its equipment profile made it easier for existing funeral homes to adopt.

Can families receive the same kind of “remains” from aquamation and terramation?

No. Aquamation returns bone fragments, processed into a fine powder similar to cremation ash. Terramation returns soil — approximately one-half cubic yard of nutrient-rich composted material. These are fundamentally different end products with different uses and emotional associations.

Are there any states where both aquamation and terramation are legal?

Yes. Several states where terramation is legal also permit aquamation, including Washington, Colorado, Oregon, and Nevada. Families in these states can choose between the two processes.

Does it matter which green option I choose for the environment?

Both options significantly reduce environmental impact compared to cremation or conventional burial. The difference between terramation and aquamation is real but smaller than the difference between either of these and traditional end-of-life practices. The most important environmental choice is moving away from conventional burial and cremation — either alternative represents a meaningful positive step.

Learn more about terramation providers near you — contact TerraCare Partners

Ready to explore terramation options? Contact TerraCare Partners

Sources

Washington State University — human NOR environmental study (2023) — https://news.wsu.edu/ (specific press release URL retired)
Washington State Department of Health — NOR Provider Information — https://doh.wa.gov/
National Funeral Directors Association — cremation and burial report 2025 — https://nfda.org/news/statistics
Cremation Association of North America — https://www.cremationassociation.org/
University of Alberta — prion research and alkaline hydrolysis — https://www.ualberta.ca/
Green Burial Council — disposition and environment — https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/
NOR legal states guide — /blog/state-guides/
Complete guide to natural organic reduction — /blog/nor-education/
Zero-waste funerals and terramation — /blog/nor-education/zero-waste-funerals-terramation/