nor education 9 min read

By TerraCare

Where Is Natural Organic Reduction Legal in 2026? A State-by-State Guide (colloquially referred to as human composting)

If you’ve heard about natural organic reduction — also called terramation or natural organic reduction (NOR) — and wondered whether it’s available where you live, here is the short answer: as of April 2026, NOR is legal in 14 U.S. states. Those states are Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, California, New York, Nevada, Arizona, Maryland, Delaware, Minnesota, Maine, Georgia, and New Jersey. However, being legal and being available aren’t always the same thing. California’s law takes effect January 1, 2027, and in several other legal states no licensed facility is operating yet. This guide explains exactly where you stand, regardless of which state you call home.

Where is natural organic reduction (human composting) legal in 2026?

As of April 2026, natural organic reduction (NOR) is legal in 14 U.S. states: Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, California, New York, Nevada, Arizona, Maryland, Delaware, Minnesota, Maine, Georgia, and New Jersey. However, legal status is not the same as availability: California's law takes effect January 1, 2027, and in several other legal states no licensed facility is operating yet. Families can work with established providers in states such as Washington, Colorado, and Oregon, and families outside these 14 states can arrange transport to a legal state.

  • NOR is legal in 14 U.S. states, but legal status is not the same as availability: California's law takes effect January 1, 2027, and in several other legal states no licensed facility is operating yet.
  • Washington (2019) was the first state to legalize NOR; legislative momentum has been rapid, with most states passing laws between 2021 and 2025, and Oklahoma's HB 3660 passing both chambers in 2026 before a May veto.
  • Families can work with established providers in states such as Washington, Colorado, and Oregon and should check the state guide for their own state; families without a licensed facility nearby can arrange transport to one, though this adds logistics and cost.
  • Consumer demand is driving legalization — the national cremation rate has reached 63.4% (NFDA 2025) and interest in greener alternatives is growing, with 61.4% of consumers expressing interest in eco-friendly funeral options.
  • NOR produces approximately half a ton less CO2 equivalent than flame cremation, families receive living soil rather than ash, and there is no permanent cemetery land requirement.

--- Those states are Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, California, New York, Nevada, Arizona, Maryland, Delaware, Minnesota, Maine, Georgia, and New Jersey. However, being legal and being available aren’t always the same thing. California’s law takes effect January 1, 2027, and in several other legal states no licensed facility is operating yet. This guide explains exactly where you stand, regardless of which state you call home.

When a state legalizes natural organic reduction, it formally recognizes NOR as an authorized method of final disposition — the same category as burial and cremation. That matters because it determines what funeral homes can offer, what death certificates can list, and what families can choose.

But legalization is the beginning of the process, not the end. After a state passes a law, there is typically a period of regulatory work: state agencies write implementing rules, funeral home licensing requirements are updated, and providers invest in equipment and training. In some states that window has already closed and services are fully operational. In others, the law is on the books but no licensed facility is operating yet.

Understanding this distinction is important before you make plans — or travel assumptions.

Established Providers: Washington, Colorado, and Oregon

Families can work with established, licensed providers in these three states today:

Washington — the first state to legalize NOR, signed into law in May 2019. Washington remains home to some of the most established providers in the country, with multiple licensed facilities operating in the Seattle area.

Colorado — legalized in 2021. Colorado providers are operational and accepting families across the state.

Oregon — legalized in 2021. Providers in Oregon are active and growing.

If you live in one of these states, you can begin making arrangements — or pre-planning — for terramation today.

Other States Where the Law Is in Effect

In these states the law is in effect, but legal status is not the same as availability: in several of them, no licensed facility is operating yet. Check the state guide for your state before you make plans.

Vermont — legalized in 2022. A smaller state with a strong environmental ethos.

Nevada — legalized in 2023.

Arizona — legalized in 2024.

Maryland — legalized in 2024.

Delaware — legalized in 2024.

Minnesota — legalized in 2024.

Maine — legalized in 2024.

Georgia — legalized in 2025. Georgia became one of the first Southern states to recognize NOR as a legal disposition option.

New York (NY) — New York authorized NOR under A382/S5535 and adopted its NOR rules in 2024 (effective August 7, 2024). Only cemetery corporations may operate NOR facilities in New York.

New Jersey (NJ) — New Jersey legalized NOR under A4085/S3007, and the law took effect July 1, 2026, under the State Board of Mortuary Science. Check with the Board for current licensing status.

California: Law Takes Effect January 1, 2027

California (CA) — California passed AB-351 in 2022, becoming one of the largest states to authorize NOR. Providers may begin accepting families beginning January 1, 2027. Californians can research and document their wishes now, and should plan to connect with a provider as that date approaches.

If you live in California, your state has already said yes to natural organic reduction — you may just need to wait a little longer before services are accessible.

A Note on Oklahoma and Other Pending States

You may have seen recent news coverage about Oklahoma. In 2026, the Oklahoma legislature passed HB 3660, a bill that would have legalized natural organic reduction: the House voted 59–37 in March and the Senate 28–18 in May. However, the Governor vetoed the bill on May 12, 2026. Oklahoma does not have a law legalizing NOR, and providers there cannot legally offer the service. It is not among the 14 legal states.

Other states have seen NOR legislation introduced in recent sessions. The landscape is changing — but for families making real plans, the number that matters right now is 14.

Why Are More States Legalizing Natural Organic Reduction?

Several factors are driving this legislative momentum, and understanding them can help families see this not as a niche choice but as one that is reshaping the future of end-of-life care.

Consumer demand is growing. Families are increasingly asking funeral directors about environmentally conscious options. The NFDA (National Funeral Directors Association) reports that the national cremation rate has reached 63.4% (NFDA 2025 Cremation & Burial Report) — a figure that reflects a broad shift away from traditional burial toward alternatives that feel more aligned with how families live. NOR is the next step in that evolution for many.

The environmental case is compelling. According to documentation from the Washington State Department of Ecology (WA DOE), natural organic reduction produces approximately half a ton less CO2 equivalent than flame cremation. For families who care about their environmental impact — and many do — that difference is meaningful.

The return to soil resonates. Unlike ashes, which many families find difficult to use, the soil returned after terramation is living, nutrient-rich earth. Families plant trees with it, nourish gardens, scatter it in places their loved one loved. That tangible legacy is part of why NOR is resonating with families who want something meaningful beyond a funeral.

Legislators are hearing these conversations. As more families ask, more states respond.

For a deeper look at what terramation is and why families are choosing it, visit our complete guide to terramation.

If your state is not among the 14, you are not without options.

Transport to a legal state is possible. Many NOR providers are experienced in coordinating transportation across state lines. Some families in non-legal states choose to arrange for their loved one — or plan ahead for themselves — to receive NOR services in a neighboring state where it is available. It adds logistical steps, but it is a path that providers navigate regularly.

Document your wishes now. Even if services aren’t available in your state today, pre-planning your end-of-life choices in writing is valuable regardless. If your state eventually legalizes NOR — and the trend suggests more will — having your wishes documented means your family won’t have to guess. Our article on natural organic reduction as a disposition choice is a good starting point for that conversation.

Stay informed. The legal landscape is shifting quickly. Checking back with TerraCare Partners — or signing up for updates — means you’ll know when your state joins the list.

If you live in a legal state, the next practical step is finding a licensed provider near you. The network of funeral homes and dedicated NOR facilities offering terramation is growing, but it is not yet nationwide — even within legal states, availability can vary by region.

Our state-by-state guides to where NOR is legal are the most comprehensive resource on this site for finding providers by state. Each guide covers legal status, operational timeline, and how to begin the conversation with a local funeral home.

You can also reach out directly:

Find a funeral home offering terramation in your state

If you’re ready to take the next step — whether that’s for yourself or a loved one — TerraCare Partners can help connect you with a provider in your area.

Ready to explore terramation options? Contact TerraCare Partners

What to Ask a Provider Before You Commit

Once you’ve identified a licensed provider in a legal state, here are a few questions worth asking before you make arrangements:

  • What is included in the service fee — transportation, the NOR process, soil return?
  • How much soil will my family receive, and in what form?
  • Are there options for a farewell gathering or viewing before the process begins?
  • How long does the process take from the time of death?
  • What are my options for using or distributing the soil?
  • Is pre-planning available, and can I document and lock in my wishes now?

Providers who offer NOR are generally accustomed to these questions and will answer them with care. If a provider seems reluctant to discuss the details, that is worth noting.

For a step-by-step look at how the process unfolds — from the first call to the return of soil — see our guide to the terramation process explained.

Sources

  1. Washington State Legislature. “SB 5001 — Concerning human remains.” 2019. https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5001&Year=2019
  2. Colorado General Assembly. “SB21-006 — Concerning Natural Reduction of Human Remains.” 2021. https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb21-006
  3. Oregon Legislative Assembly. “HB 2574 — Relating to disposition of human remains.” 2021. https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Measures/Overview/HB2574
  4. Vermont General Assembly. “H.244 — An act relating to authorizing the natural organic reduction of human remains.” 2022 (Act 169). https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2022/H.244
  5. California Legislative Information. “AB-351 Human remains: natural organic reduction.” 2022. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB351
  6. New York State Legislature. “A382/S5535 — Relates to authorizing natural organic reduction as a means of disposition of human remains.” 2022. https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A382&term=2021
  7. New Jersey Legislature. “A4085/S3007 — Concerns natural organic reduction for disposition of human remains.” 2025. https://www.njleg.state.nj.us
  8. Washington State Department of Health. “Natural Organic Reduction Rules.” WAC 246-500. https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-500
  9. National Funeral Directors Association. “2025 NFDA Cremation & Burial Report.” nfda.org. https://nfda.org/news/statistics
  10. Oklahoma Legislature. “HB 3660 — Natural Organic Reduction Act.” Passed Oklahoma House 59–37, March 24, 2026, and Senate 28–18, May 5, 2026; vetoed May 12, 2026. http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=HB3660&Session=2600