Plan For & Protect
Their Legacies REACH OUT NOW
Human Composting Is Now Legal in Georgia: What It Means for Your Estate Plan
When you think about end-of-life arrangements, what comes to mind? For most people, it’s either burial or cremation. But starting July 1, 2025, Georgians now have a third, and much greener, option: human composting, thanks to Senate Bill 241.
It may sound unconventional, but it’s far from a passing trend. Human composting is part of a growing national movement toward eco-friendly, sustainable disposition of the bodily remains. And for many families, it’s becoming an important part of their estate planning conversation.
What Is Human Composting?
Human Composting, also known as natural organic reduction, is a gentle process that transforms the human body into rich, fertile soil completely naturally. The body is placed in a container with organic materials like straw, wood chips, and alfalfa. Then, over several weeks, beneficial microbes break everything down, just like they would in nature.
At the end of the process, the result is about one cubic yard of clean, usable soil—enough to fill a standard pickup truck bed. Families can choose to:
Plant a memorial tree
Nourish a home garden
Restore green spaces or forests
Keep the soil for future use
This process is already in use in states like Washington, Oregon, and California, and has been proven safe, respectful, and meaningful.
A Simple Breakdown of the Process
The body is placed in a special steel vessel along with organic materials.
Heat and airflow are carefully managed to help microbes do their work.
In around 30 days, the body is transformed into nutrient-rich soil.
The soil is then cured, tested for safety, and returned to the family (or donated to conservation efforts).
There are no chemicals, no fires, and no need for a casket; it is just a natural return to the earth.
What does Georgia’s SB 241 Mean?
Senate Bill 241 makes Georgia one of the growing states that allow human composting as a legal end-of-life option. Here’s what the law includes:
✅ Human composting must be done at licensed facilities under the oversight of the State Board of Funeral Services
✅ Families now have the right to choose this option instead of burial or cremation
✅ You can (and should) include your wishes for composting in your will, burial directives, or advance healthcare directive
📅 Effective Date: July 1, 2025
Currently, there are no licensed human composting providers in Georgia, but out-of-state services like Recompose can accept bodies and return the resulting soil to families. As the law takes root, we’ll likely see local facilities open soon.
Why It Matters for Your Estate Plan?
End-of-life choices aren’t just personal. They are legal decisions that need to be documented.
By including your wishes in your estate plan, you can:
Avoid confusion or disagreements among your family members
Make sure your values are honored
Give your executor clear guidance
Whether you prefer traditional burial, cremation, or something more eco-conscious like composting, it’s important that your plan reflects your wishes and your heart.
Just imagine: your final resting place becoming the soil that grows a tree in your grandchild’s backyard, or helps restore a patch of Georgia forest. It’s a beautiful, poetic legacy.
Eco-Friendly Legacy: A New Way to Give Life After Death
Why are more people leaning into this option?
Here’s what makes human composting so compelling:
Legally approved: Safe, professional, and now legal in Georgia
Gentle and respectful: No flames, chemicals, or invasive processes
Sustainable: Produces 87% less carbon than cremation and zero cemetery maintenance
Life-giving: Your final act can help heal the earth. It helps reforest land, nourish gardens, or become a lasting memorial.
It’s a way to honor the planet and the people you love even after you’re gone.
Let’s Talk About Your Legacy
Are you interested in adding human composting to your estate plan?
Here’s how we can help:
Update your will, trust, or healthcare directive to include your wishes
Ensure your executor or loved ones understand your preferences
Review your overall estate plan so it’s complete, clear, and aligned with your values
At Thompson Mungo Firm, we guide Georgia families through these important decisions with clarity and compassion. Let’s make sure your plan reflects the legacy you want to leave behind. Call us today at 678-855-6002 to schedule a consultation.
References and Sources:
SB 241 – Full Bill Text | Georgia General Assembly
🔗 https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/66961
Recompose – Human Composting Overview and Environmental Benefits
🔗 https://recompose.life
Earth Funeral – Sustainable End-of-Life Services
🔗 https://earthfuneral.com
Return Home – Human Composting Facility and Education
🔗 https://returnhome.com