NSW has become the first state to legalise ‘terramation’, a process also called human composting, as an alternative to burying or cremating remains.
The practice involves the decomposition of a body to turn into soil, which can be used for planting or land regeneration.
Independent Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich introduced the bill, which unanimously passed NSW Parliament.
Background
Terramation is a process where human remains are placed into a vessel with organic matter.
Over a period of up to three months, the body will decompose into around one cubic metre of soil.
This soil can then be returned to loved ones of the deceased, or can be used for land maintenance and regeneration in approved public spaces.
It is legal in parts of the U.S. and Germany.
The practice has never been legally authorised in Australia.
Legalisation
In June, Greenwich introduced a private member’s bill after advocate Teresa Russell reached out to him.
A private member’s bill is one that is introduced by an MP who does not have a role in Government.
This can make it difficult for legislation to pass.
In the last week, the bill passed both houses of NSW Parliament unanimously.
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Greenwich noted that NSW has a burial site shortage, particularly in Sydney.
In 2023, the NSW Government commissioned an audit into cemeteries on Crown land (owned by the government), finding that multiple religious groups will soon run out of graves.
The Member for Sydney also raised that cremation produces significant carbon dioxide levels.
Responses
The bill passed unanimously, Greenwich said “surprised” him, adding that he was “actually expecting a bit more of a fight”.
Liberal upper house Member Susan Carter “urge[s] the Government... to think carefully about how the terramation remains are treated.”
“Terramation should not simply become a human compost bin,” she said.
Greenwich also noted that stakeholders, like religious groups and the Australasian Cemeteries and Crematoria Association, did not oppose the legislation.
What’s next?
The NSW Government will begin consulting on regulations around the process of terramation.
This includes licensing schemes for future providers, and rules around where terramated remains can and cannot be placed.
Greenwich said this process could take up to two years.
At this stage, NSW is the only state or territory that has legalised the practice.
Greenwich said he would “love to see other jurisdictions mirror the legislation”.
