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5/29/2025
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House OKs McGaw bill enabling natural organic reduction, alkaline hydrolysis as alternatives to burial, cremation
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 Legislation would make greener options available in R.I.
STATE HOUSE – The House of Representatives today approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Michelle McGaw that would provide Rhode Islanders two alternatives to burial or cremation: natural organic reduction and alkaline hydrolysis.
Natural organic reduction is the contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil, performed in a disposition facility. Sometimes called human composting or terramation, it is an option that is increasingly being chosen by those who would prefer to lessen their impact on the environment when they have reached the end of their life. Thirteen states — Maine, Vermont, New York, Delaware, Maryland, Georgia, Washington, Minnesota, Colorado, Oregon, Nevada, California and Arizona — have passed legislation in recent years enabling the practice.
Last year, legislation sponsored by Representative McGaw to enable natural organic reduction also passed the House. This year, she has broadened the bill to include alkaline hydrolysis. Also known as water cremation, alkaline hydrolysis is the reduction of human remains using heat, pressure, water and base chemical agents. Alkaline hydrolysis is legal in 28 states.
“Not everyone is comfortable with the impact of burial, which occupies land, or cremation, which emits a significant amount carbon. Both natural organic reduction and alkaline hydrolysis are greener alternatives that may be preferable for those concerned about how their final wishes affect the planet,” said Representative McGaw (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton). “While I understand people have different comfort levels when it comes to discussions about what happens with a deceased person’s remains, it is a fact of life that a choice will have to be made. And there are many Rhode Islanders who would like these options to be available to them. For some people, there is comfort in the prospect of going to their final resting place as part of the earth, helping to support life in the future.”
Representative McGaw’s legislation (2025-H 5110), enables licensed disposition facilities, including those that also perform cremation, to offer natural organic reduction and/or alkaline hydrolysis if they choose, subject to licensing, inspections and health and safety regulations to be established by the Department of Health, which also regulates crematories.
The bill, which would take effect Jan. 30, 2027, would not affect burial or cremation as options Rhode Islanders can choose.
In natural organic reduction, human remains are placed in chambers along with organic matter and kept warm to speed the natural decomposition process to between four to seven weeks. The result is about a cubic yard of nutrient-dense soil.
Alkaline hydrolysis involves placing remains in a chamber with water and alkaline chemicals, which are heated to speed the decomposition process. The resulting liquid is sterile and contains no tissue or DNA. It is discharged as all other wastewater.
Both processes are designed to reduce the impact on the earth, compared to burial or cremation. Burial involves occupying land and uses resources involved in caskets, grave liners and gravestones. Cremation requires the burning of fossil fuel and results in average of 534 pounds of carbon in the atmosphere per cremation – the equivalent of driving a car 500 miles.
“People who have respected the earth and tried to lighten their impact on it in life may also want to take the greenest, most environmentally beneficial route in death. Natural organic reduction and alkaline hydrolysis are options in many other states, and they should be available here in Rhode Island, for the sake of our people and our planet,” said Representative McGaw.
The legislation now goes to the Senate, where Sen. Tiara Mack (D-Dist. 6, Providence) has introduced companion legislation (2025-S 0195).
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923
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