Provides for the operation and duties of natural organic reduction for the contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil. Disposition facilities would be used for either cremation or natural organic reduction.

# Summary of Rhode Island Bill on Natural Organic Reduction

This bill would make natural organic reduction — sometimes called "human composting" — a legal option for handling human remains in Rhode Island. Natural organic reduction is a process in which a person's body is placed in a special container where it is naturally and gradually converted into soil over a period of weeks. The bill would establish rules and regulations for how this process must be carried out, including licensing requirements for the facilities that perform it.

Under the bill, existing facilities that currently handle cremation could also be authorized to offer natural organic reduction as an alternative service. The legislation lays out specific duties and operational standards that these facilities would need to follow, similar to the regulations already in place for cremation and traditional burial. This would include requirements related to properly identifying remains, obtaining necessary authorizations, and handling the resulting soil respectfully and in accordance with the wishes of the deceased or their family.

The bill would primarily affect funeral service providers, who would have a new option to offer families, and Rhode Island residents planning end-of-life arrangements, who would gain an additional choice beyond traditional burial or cremation. It could also be relevant to people interested in more environmentally oriented alternatives, as natural organic reduction is generally considered to use fewer resources than cremation or conventional burial.

The bill was introduced in the Rhode Island House of Representatives and referred to the House Corporations Committee. The committee has recommended holding the measure for further study, with a hearing scheduled for January 2026.