How to Request Terramation at a Funeral Home: A Step-by-Step Guide (colloquially referred to as human composting)

Terramation — also called natural organic reduction (NOR) — is available at licensed funeral homes in 14 U.S. states. If you want it for yourself or a loved one, the process starts the same way as any funeral arrangement: by contacting a funeral home. You need to confirm your state allows it, find a funeral home that offers it, and make the request early — ideally at the very beginning of the arrangement conference. This guide walks you through each step so you know exactly what to do and what to ask.

For a broader overview of how natural organic reduction works, see How Does Natural Organic Reduction Work?

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Step 1: Verify That Your State Allows NOR

Before anything else, confirm that natural organic reduction is legal where you are. Not every state has passed NOR legislation, and in three states that have, no funeral homes are currently accepting cases.

NOR is currently legal in 14 states: Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, California, New York, Nevada, Arizona, Maryland, Delaware, Minnesota, Maine, Georgia, and New Jersey.

However, three of those states are legal but not yet operational:

• California — Legal under AB-351 (2022); not operational until January 1, 2027. No licensed California facilities are currently accepting NOR cases.
• New York — Legal under A382/S5535 (2022); multi-agency rulemaking still in progress. No licensed New York facilities are currently accepting cases.
• New Jersey — Legal under A4085 (2025); regulations are being developed. No New Jersey facilities are currently accepting cases.

If you live in one of these three states, your family cannot currently access NOR in-state. You can, however, transport remains to a NOR-legal state where the service is operational. This requires advance planning and proper documentation. Reach out to a funeral home in a neighboring NOR-legal state to understand your options.

For a full state-by-state breakdown of where NOR is legal and operational, see the TerraCare state guides. For answers to common operational questions families ask, see the TerraCare consumer FAQ.

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Step 2: Find a Funeral Home That Offers NOR

NOR is legal in 14 states, but not every funeral home in those states offers it. NOR requires specialized equipment, facility approvals, and state-level operator licensing.

When looking for a funeral home that offers terramation:

• Search specifically for NOR or terramation. General green funeral listings may not include NOR. Look for funeral homes that explicitly list “terramation,” “natural organic reduction,” or “natural organic reduction” as a service.
• Use NOR-specific directories. Some national resources — including TerraCare partner funeral homes — list NOR-offering providers specifically.
• Call before assuming. A funeral home’s website may not be current. A quick call is the surest way to confirm.

Contact TerraCare Partners if you’d like help identifying funeral homes in your state that are currently accepting NOR cases.

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Step 3: Confirm Availability — Ask the Right Question

Once you’ve identified a funeral home that appears to offer NOR, call and ask directly: “Do you currently have NOR equipment, and are you accepting terramation cases?”

This matters because some funeral homes list NOR as a service they intend to offer but are still awaiting equipment or state licensing. A good funeral home will answer honestly and tell you what their current timeline looks like.

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Step 4: Ask the Right Questions During the Arrangement Process

Whether you’re pre-planning or making at-need arrangements, there are questions worth asking before you sign anything:

• What is included in the terramation service? Confirm what the fee covers — transportation, the NOR process, soil processing, and return.
• How long does the process take? NOR takes several weeks to a few months, depending on the system. Ask for a realistic range.
• How will the soil be returned? Delivered, picked up, or both? In what container?
• What documentation will your family receive? You should receive written authorization paperwork and documentation of completion.

For a comprehensive list of questions families commonly ask, see Terramation FAQ for Families.

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Step 5: Decide Between Pre-Planning and At-Need Arrangements

If you are pre-planning for yourself: Confirm the funeral home has NOR equipment and licensing in place now, not just pending. Ensure terramation is explicitly named in your pre-need contract. If you’re in California, New York, or New Jersey, you can document your wishes but should have a contingency plan.

If you are making at-need arrangements: Make the request as early as possible — ideally during your first call, before remains are transported. If the first funeral home cannot accommodate NOR, ask for a referral. Providers in the NOR community often know one another.

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Step 6: Complete the Written Authorization

NOR requires written authorization from the legally authorized person — typically next of kin or the representative named in a pre-need contract. This mirrors cremation authorization: the form confirms your legal authority, specifies natural organic reduction as the chosen method, and documents soil return preferences along with any state-required consent language. Read it carefully and ask the funeral director to clarify anything that isn’t clear.

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Step 7: Discuss Soil Return Options

The NOR process transforms human remains into approximately one-half cubic yard of soil. Common options for the soil include:

• Return to family — Some keep a portion of the soil, similar to keeping cremated remains.
• Memorial garden — Many families use the soil to plant a tree or nourish a garden in a loved one’s memory.
• Conservation land — Some NOR providers have relationships with conservation organizations where soil can be contributed.
• Spreading on private property — Generally permitted; check local regulations.
• Combination — You can split the soil across multiple uses.

Your funeral home should be able to walk you through any state-specific restrictions on soil use.

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Ready to Take the Next Step?

Requesting terramation is not more complicated than arranging other forms of disposition once you know where to look. The main variables are your state’s legal status, the availability of NOR-equipped funeral homes, and making your request early.

For more on what to expect, visit the NOR Education resource center.

Ready to explore terramation options? Contact TerraCare Partners.

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Can I request terramation if I live in a state where it isn’t legal?

Yes, with planning. If NOR is not legal in your state — or if you’re in California, New York, or New Jersey where it’s legal but not yet operational — you can arrange to have remains transported to a state where NOR is currently available. This requires coordination between funeral homes in two states, a burial transit permit from the state of death, and compliance with the receiving state’s regulations.

How early do I need to request terramation after a death?

As early as possible — ideally during your first call to the funeral home, before remains are transferred. At-need requests can often still be fulfilled, but making your intentions known early gives the funeral home the most flexibility.

What happens if a funeral home doesn’t offer NOR?

Ask for a referral. Funeral directors in NOR-legal states are often aware of which nearby providers offer the service. You can also contact TerraCare Partners for help identifying NOR-offering funeral homes in your area.

Is terramation more complicated to arrange than cremation?

The arrangement process is similar. You’ll complete written authorization paperwork and make decisions about the return of remains — the same basic structure as cremation. The main differences are the timeline (several weeks to a few months), the volume returned (approximately one-half cubic yard of soil versus a few pounds of ash), and the disposition options.

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Sources

1. NFDA 2025 Cremation and Burial Report — National Funeral Directors Association — https://nfda.org/news/statistics
2. Washington SB 5001 (2019) — Natural Organic Reduction Authorization — Washington State Legislature — https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5001&Year=2019
3. Colorado SB 21-006 (2021) — Natural Reduction of Human Remains — Colorado General Assembly — https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb21-006
4. California AB-351 (2022) — Natural Organic Reduction of Human Remains — California Legislative Information — https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB351
5. New York A382/S5535 (2022) — Natural Organic Reduction — New York State Assembly — https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A382&term=2021
6. New Jersey A4085 / S3007 (2025) — Natural Organic Reduction — New Jersey Legislature — https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/AL25/143_.HTM
7. FTC Funeral Rule — Federal Trade Commission — Funeral Industry Practices, 16 CFR Part 453 — https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/funeral-industry-practices-rule
8. CANA Natural Organic Reduction Operations Certificate (NOROC) — Cremation Association of North America — https://www.cremationassociation.org/noroc.html
9. TerraCare Partners — NOR State Guides — https://terracareprogram.com/blog/state-guides/
10. Washington State Department of Licensing, Funeral and Cemetery Board — NOR Regulations — https://www.dol.wa.gov/business/funeralcemetery/

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