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Body Dispositions - What's New?



When I began my career with Funeral Consumers Alliance of Arizona two years ago, I thought there were two choices for dead body disposition: burial and cremation. Simple, right? Both can honor the deceased and give families the opportunity for a good goodbye. One results in an urn or other container filled with cremains and the other a casket-filled grave. One can cost less than $1000 and the other can result in a bill for the family of more than ten times that. But when it comes down to it, both dispositions are viable options and a matter of personal choice.  I had never heard the terms natural burial, aquamation, or natural organic reduction (NOR). Now these options are in the news more and more often. But what are they?  


According to the Green Burial Council, a green or natural burial “emphasizes simplicity and environmental sustainability. The body is neither cremated nor prepared with chemicals such as embalming fluids. It is placed in a biodegradable coffin or shroud and buried without a concrete burial vault.”  There are two mortuaries and one cemetery within Arizona that offer “natural burial.” 


Aquamation or alkaline hydrolysis, is a form of cremation that uses water, heat, and alkaline chemicals to break down a dead body. It is purported to mimic the natural decay of in-ground burial but in hours rather than years. Aquamation became legal in Arizona in September of 2023, but cannot be offered until the rules and regulations surrounding its use have been completely developed and approved. That process is underway. 


The newest disposition option to come to Arizona is natural organic reduction (NOR), which is often referred to as human composting. In April 2024 Gov. Katie Hobbs signed the bill that legalizes NOR. A good description of NOR comes from Rep. Pam Marsh who successfully sponsored Oregon’s HB2574. “NOR gently transforms human remains into soil in 4-6 weeks. The process uses large vessels to hold human remains which are combined with straw, wood chips, and other natural materials. The decomposing process creates heat of over 131F, which kills viruses, bacteria, and pathogens and exceeds EPA requirements for heavy metals, which are stabilized in the soil, and not volatilized. The resulting soil is safe for gardens, trees, and general land use." 


Each of these end-of-life options is billed as more eco-friendly than what is currently called traditional burial and fire-based cremation. This article is simply an introduction since aquamation and NOR are evolving for Arizonans, and green burial options are limited. FCAAZ will further explore each of these dispositions over the coming months.      


By. Linda Lewandowski


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Thank you for finally acknowledging green alternatives. I knew that both aquamation and re-composting are legalized in Arizona. I'm now wondering when they will be available in AZ. I hope you will cover this next. I found a re-composting company in Nevada who would transport a dead body to their site and return the "dirt" back to the family. The cost is $5,400. Earthfuneral.com 877 327-4109. I hope I live long enough to have at least one of these options available in Arizona. Thank you for keeping us informed. Bettykay

Gold Canyon AZ

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