Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria awaits church guidance on human composting

Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria has no immediate plans to offer human composting following the approval of the practice by the New South Wales parliament. The organization is waiting for Church guidance and will review regulatory requirements before deciding its approach. It has not yet determined if it will accept remains produced through this method elsewhere.

The Public Health Amendment (Terramation) Bill passed parliament on October 21 and received assent on October 28. Terramation, or natural organic reduction, involves placing a body in an above-ground vessel with organic materials like mulch and straw to accelerate decomposition into soil. Families can then use the resulting material, such as for planting a memorial tree.

Chief executive officer Lauren Hardgrove said the organization will assess the implications as more details become available. Hardgrove noted that the impact on cemetery capacity and funeral costs remains uncertain, as these factors depend on service costs, demand, and how families choose to memorialize remains. Regulatory provisions for the practice are not expected to begin for two years.