nor education 9 min read

By TerraCare

How to Pre-Plan Terramation: A Step-by-Step Guide for Families (colloquially referred to as human composting)

Planning ahead for your own end of life is one of the most thoughtful things you can do for the people you love. If terramation — also called natural organic reduction or natural organic reduction (NOR) — is the disposition method you want, you can absolutely pre-plan it. Here is what that process involves: identifying a provider in a state where NOR is currently legal, documenting your preferences in writing, having a conversation with your family, and deciding whether to prepay or simply record your wishes. This guide walks you through each step clearly and practically.

How do I pre-plan terramation for myself?

Pre-planning terramation involves five steps: confirm NOR is legal in your state (or plan for transport to one of the 14 legal states), identify a licensed NOR provider, document your wishes in writing (advance directive or pre-need agreement specifying disposition preference and what you want done with the soil), talk to your family so they know where your documents are and who to contact, and review your plan periodically as circumstances change. Written documentation is the most important step.

  • NOR is legal in 14 states as of April 2026; families outside those states can pre-plan transport to an operational state, which requires additional coordination but is a path providers navigate regularly.
  • Written documentation — an advance directive, disposition document, or prepaid pre-need agreement — is the most important step; verbal wishes can be missed or disputed during the stress of loss.
  • Your disposition document should specify: NOR as your choice, what you want done with the Regenerative Living Soil, any service preferences, provider contact information, and who has authority to act on your behalf.
  • Pre-need (prepaid) agreements lock in pricing and create a formal record, but funds must be held in trust — ask how funds are protected and what happens if the provider closes or changes ownership.
  • Sharing your plan with family — not just filing it with a provider — ensures they know who to call and what you wanted, removing decision-making burden during grief.

Why Pre-Plan at All?

Many people put off end-of-life planning because it feels premature or uncomfortable. But the families who are most supported after a loss are nearly always the ones whose loved one left clear, documented wishes. Pre-planning removes the guesswork, spares your family from making difficult decisions under grief, and ensures your choices are honored.

For people choosing terramation specifically, pre-planning matters even more than usual — because NOR is not yet available everywhere, and the logistics require some advance thought. If you live in a state where terramation is not yet legal, you will need to plan for transport to a state that does permit it. That is not a reason to avoid the choice; it is simply a reason to plan ahead.

For a broader overview of what terramation is and how the process works, visit our complete guide to natural organic reduction.

Before anything else, you need to know whether natural organic reduction is available where you live.

As of April 2026, NOR is legal in 14 states: Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, California, New York, Nevada, Arizona, Maryland, Delaware, Minnesota, Maine, Georgia, and New Jersey.

Three of these states are legal but not yet fully operational:

  • California — legal under AB-351; providers may begin operations on January 1, 2027
  • New York — legal; state regulations are still being finalized; services are not yet available
  • New Jersey — legal; estimated operational date approximately July 2026

If you live in one of the 36 states where NOR is not yet permitted, you still have options. Some providers in legal states can accept out-of-state decedents, which requires transporting human remains across state lines. Each state has its own regulations governing transport — your funeral home or end-of-life planner can help navigate this, and it is worth discussing upfront if transport may be part of your plan.

For a current, state-by-state breakdown of legal status, see our guide to states where NOR is currently legal. You can also read our article on where natural organic reduction is legal for more detail on how legal status affects your planning.

Step 2: Identify a Provider

Once you have confirmed that NOR is available in your state — or identified a state you are willing to plan for transport to — the next step is finding a provider.

Terramation services are offered by dedicated NOR facilities and, increasingly, by funeral homes that have partnered with or added NOR to their service offerings. When evaluating providers, consider:

  • Location and transport. Is the facility within a reasonable distance, or will transport be required? Some families living in rural areas or states near a legal border find that transport is straightforward. Others may need a provider who handles out-of-state logistics.
  • What is included in the service. Does the provider include transportation, the full NOR process, and return of Regenerative Living Soil™ to the family? Are there additional options for viewings, memorial services, or donation of a portion of the soil to conservation land?
  • The facility’s experience and reputation. How long have they been operating? Can they answer your questions clearly and compassionately?

An initial call or meeting with a provider is not a commitment. It is simply a conversation — and reputable providers welcome these conversations with families who are thinking ahead.

Ready to explore terramation options? Contact TerraCare Partners

Step 3: Document Your Wishes in Writing

This is the most important practical step you can take. Verbal wishes, even clearly stated ones, can be missed, forgotten, or disputed when the people around you are under the stress of loss. Written documentation protects your choices.

There are two primary ways to document your disposition preferences:

Advance Directive / Disposition Document

Many states allow individuals to specify their disposition preference — including terramation or NOR — in a written directive, separate from or as part of a broader advance directive. Some states have specific statutory forms; others allow a written, signed statement. An estate planning attorney or end-of-life planner in your state can advise you on the proper form for your jurisdiction.

At a minimum, your disposition document should address:

  • Your disposition preference — clearly stating that you wish for natural organic reduction (terramation)
  • What you want done with the soil — be specific. Do you want it returned to your family? Donated to a conservation organization? Placed at a particular location that held meaning for you? Used to plant a specific tree or in a garden? The more specific you are, the more easily your wishes can be honored.
  • Any service preferences — do you want a viewing or gathering before the NOR process begins? A memorial celebration after? No formal service at all? Documenting these preferences removes guesswork.
  • Who should be contacted — the name and contact information for your chosen NOR provider, as well as who among your family or designated agent is authorized to make decisions on your behalf

Prepaid Funeral or Pre-Need Agreement

Some providers offer a prepaid arrangement, also called a pre-need agreement, in which you pay in advance for the services you have selected. This locks in pricing, reduces financial burden on your family, and creates a formal, legally documented record of your wishes.

The Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule governs disclosures and protections in the funeral industry, including prepaid arrangements. [1] Key protections to understand:

  • Providers are required to give you an itemized price list before you agree to services [1]
  • Funds paid in advance must typically be held in a trust or through an insurance product — ask how your funds will be held and what happens if the provider closes or changes ownership [2]
  • You have the right to know what is and is not included in a prepaid arrangement and what the cancellation or transfer policy is [1]

Not every NOR provider currently offers formal prepaid arrangements. Some providers instead document your preferences in a file without requiring prepayment. Both approaches are valid — what matters most is that your wishes are written down and that your family knows where to find the documentation.

Step 4: Talk to Your Family

Pre-planning is most effective when the people close to you know about it. A written document filed with a provider does little good if your family does not know where to find it — or does not know you made these arrangements at all.

This conversation does not need to be heavy or difficult. Many families find that talking openly about end-of-life preferences is a relief once it begins — it opens a door that everyone knew was there but no one had walked through. Letting your family know that you have chosen terramation, where your provider is, and what you want done with the soil gives them the clarity to act on your behalf without conflict or confusion.

For guidance on how to approach this conversation, see our article on how to talk to your family about terramation.

Consider sharing:

  • Where your written documentation is located (and who holds a copy)
  • The name and contact information of your chosen provider
  • What you want done with the Regenerative Living Soil and why — the meaning behind your choice can matter as much as the practical instruction
  • Who has legal authority to carry out your wishes (and whether that is documented in your advance directive or durable power of attorney for health care)

Step 5: Keep Your Plan Current

End-of-life plans are not set-it-and-forget-it documents. Review your pre-plan every few years and any time there is a significant life change — a move to a new state, a change in family structure, or a shift in your preferences. If you move somewhere NOR is not yet legal, update your plan to reflect a transport arrangement. Keeping your documentation current ensures it will actually serve you when it is needed.

If you are still weighing whether terramation is the right fit, see our article on whether terramation is right for your family before finalizing your plan.

Find a funeral home offering terramation in your state

Sources

  1. Federal Trade Commission. “The FTC Funeral Rule.” FTC.gov. https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/funeral-industry-practices-rule
  2. Federal Trade Commission. “Paying for Funerals in Advance.” Consumer Information. FTC.gov. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/paying-funerals-advance
  3. Washington State Legislature. “SB 5001 — Concerning human remains: natural organic reduction.” 2019. https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5001&Year=2019
  4. California Legislative Information. “AB-351 Human remains: natural organic reduction.” 2022. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB351
  5. New Jersey Legislature. “A4085/S3007 — Concerns natural organic reduction for disposition of human remains.” 2025. https://www.njleg.state.nj.us
  6. National Funeral Directors Association. “Pre-Planning a Funeral: What Families Need to Know.” nfda.org. https://www.nfda.org/consumer-resources/planning-a-funeral/pre-planning
  7. National End-of-Life Doula Alliance (NEDA). “What Is End-of-Life Planning?” nedalliance.org. https://www.nedalliance.org/what-is-an-end-of-life-doula
  8. American Bar Association. “Advance Directives and Disposition of Remains.” americanbar.org. https://www.americanbar.org/groups/law_aging/resources/health_care_decision_making/
  9. Washington State Department of Ecology. “Natural Organic Reduction: Rulemaking and Consumer Information.” Ecology.wa.gov. https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=246-500