Human Composting Renewal in Delaware: License and Fee Facts

Last updated 2026-08-18

Is Human Composting Legal in Delaware Right Now?

No. Delaware has not enacted a law allowing natural organic reduction (NOR). House Bill 160, introduced in the 152nd General Assembly (2023), would have authorized it. The bill passed the House but died in a Senate committee ^[4]. As of now, human composting cannot be offered, permitted, or licensed anywhere in the state.

You also can't renew a human composting license, because none exists. Any move toward offering NOR needs a change to the statute, more than a new board rule. That is a slower, harder path than most people expect.

Do You Need a License for Human Composting in Delaware?

You can't get one today. But anyone handling the disposition of human remains, including a future NOR provider, has to hold a funeral establishment license from the Delaware Board of Funeral Services. The law bans unlicensed funeral directing outright. Title 24 states: "A person may not engage in the business of funeral directing in this State... without having first obtained a license from the Board of Funeral Services" ^[2].

If NOR becomes legal, that same license is the foundation. The board will most likely add an endorsement or a separate registration on top of it, not invent a whole new license type.

What Is the Current Status of the Human Composting Bill (HB 160)?

HB 160, sponsored by Rep. Eric Morrison, defined natural organic reduction as the "accelerated conversion of human remains to soil." It set facility requirements, a 30-day minimum process, and directed the Board of Funeral Services to adopt rules within 180 days of enactment. The bill passed the House 33-7 on June 15, 2023, with support from both parties ^[4].

Then it stalled. The Senate Health & Social Services Committee held one hearing on June 29 and tabled the bill. The session ended with no floor vote ^[5]. A similar bill has not appeared in the 153rd or 154th General Assembly as of mid-2025.

How Much Does Human Composting Cost in Delaware?

There is no Delaware price, because no provider operates here. In states where NOR is legal, full service usually runs $5,000 to $7,000, per an NPR analysis ^[6]. Recompose in Washington charges $7,000. Return Home sits in a similar range. That price covers body transport, the composting process, the paperwork, and returning soil to the family.

Expect Delaware to land in that band once the service exists. Land costs, facility overhead, and any state NOR registration fee could push the first-year number toward the top end. Early providers rarely price low.

How Long Does Human Composting Take in Delaware?

The core composting phase runs about 30 days. Recompose states on its website: "The natural organic reduction process takes approximately 30 days" ^[7]. A 2020 Washington State University study found the process reliably produces safe soil within that window, with another 2 to 4 weeks for curing and testing ^[8].

Delaware has no facility, so there is no real timeline yet. If authorized, the full path from death to soil release would likely take 6 to 8 weeks, in line with other states. A mandatory waiting period could stretch that, but no bill has proposed one.

How to Renew Your Funeral Establishment License in Delaware

If you hold a funeral establishment license, it expires June 30 of each even-numbered year under Delaware Code ^[1]. The renewal fee is $200 ^[3]. You renew through the DELPROS online portal.

There is no automatic paper notice. The board expects you to log in and renew yourself. Late renewals add a $25 penalty. Once you pass 30 days beyond the deadline, the license lapses and you have to apply for reinstatement, which takes months and can require a board appearance. Set your own reminder for May 1 of even years.

If human composting becomes legal, the same base cycle and portal will likely carry over. You might owe an added NOR facility fee at renewal. HumusPath sells a $199 NOR Facilitator Statute Kit that breaks down legislative language for every state tracking NOR bills, handy when Delaware reintroduces and you want to compare model text across states.

What Would Renewal Look Like If Human Composting Becomes Legal?

Most likely, the legislature amends Title 24, Chapter 31 to include natural organic reduction as a form of "final disposition" or "funeral directing." The Board of Funeral Services then adopts regulations, probably requiring an NOR endorsement on the funeral establishment license.

That endorsement might carry its own fee. In Colorado, a natural organic reduction facility registration costs $1,200 per year on top of the funeral establishment license ^[9]. Oregon requires a funeral establishment license plus an NOR-specific permit. Delaware's board would have to pick a model. Renewal would stay biennial, but you would likely pay two fees or one combined, higher fee. The board may also require continuing education hours specific to NOR.

Delaware Board of Funeral Services: What You Need to Know

The board sits under the Division of Professional Regulation. It has seven members: five funeral directors, one public member, and one medical professional. They meet quarterly. The board's main jobs are licensure, discipline, and adopting regulations, which would include any future NOR rules.

You can find fee schedules and application details on the board's fee page ^[3]. The board also handles consumer complaints and inspects facilities. If you plan to offer NOR someday, watch for coming guidelines on facility design, odor control, and soil testing. Those details are still undecided.

Comparison: Renewal Rules in Delaware vs. States with Active NOR

Delaware has no NOR-specific renewal yet. Comparing its structure to Colorado, where NOR registration stands separate, shows the likely future cost tier. Delaware's current funeral establishment renewal is cheap and simple. Colorado shows what a second fee layer looks like.

State / Status	License Required	Renewal Fee	Renewal Cycle
Delaware (funeral est. only)	Funeral Establishment	$200 [3]	Biennial, June 30 even years
Colorado (funeral est. + NOR)	Funeral Establishment + NOR Facility Registration	$400 (fun.) / $1,200 (NOR) [9]	Biennial (fun.) / Annual (NOR)

Colorado's NOR fee is annual, not biennial, which raises the running cost. If Delaware copies that model, providers face two staggered renewal schedules. For other states, see our guides on human composting renewal in California, Colorado, and Florida.

What If You're Starting a New Funeral Home and Want to Offer NOR?

Start with the funeral establishment license. The initial application fee is $200 ^[3]. You need a facility that meets board requirements: a preparation room, a refrigeration unit, and public access. An NOR facility needs extra space on top of that, roughly 1,000 to 2,000 square feet for vessels and soil curing.

Startup costs in other states run $150,000 to $300,000. The board may require a separate on-site inspection before you can add NOR to your license. Budget for an annual NOR registration fee if Delaware follows Colorado. Talk to the board before you sign a lease or buy equipment. Rules move fast once a bill passes, and you don't want to guess wrong on facility design.

Key Dates and Deadlines

The next funeral establishment license renewal deadline is June 30, 2026. Every active license expires that day. Renewal opens 60 days earlier on the DELPROS portal.

The 154th General Assembly runs 2025 to 2026. No NOR bill has been filed as of August 2026. If a bill is introduced in the 2025 session, it could pass by June 2026, but rulemaking would take another 6 to 12 months. So the earliest NOR licensing is realistically 2027. Renewal of NOR-capable licenses would not come until 2028 at best.

Next Steps for Delaware Human Composting

Stay informed. Bookmark the Delaware General Assembly bill tracking page and the Board of Funeral Services fee schedule ^[3]. If you're a funeral director, get your establishment license current now.

A statute kit gives you the model language, so when a new bill drops you can compare it line by line. When one passes, you'll know exactly how your renewal changes. Don't wait until the last day to renew your existing license. Lapsed licenses take months to reinstate. This is not legal advice. Confirm every detail with the board.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a license for human composting in Delaware?

No. Human composting isn't legal in Delaware, so there's no specific license to obtain or renew. But anyone disposing of human remains must hold a Delaware funeral establishment license, which renews every two years. A future NOR provider would build on that same license.

How much does human composting cost in Delaware?

It's not available yet. In states where natural organic reduction is legal, prices run $5,000 to $7,000 for full service. Delaware's cost will depend on operating expenses, land, and any state registration fees once the service is authorized. First-year prices tend to sit near the top of that range.

How long does human composting take in Delaware?

The process itself averages 30 days, based on Recompose's stated timeline and WSU research. Total time from death to soil return in other states runs 6 to 8 weeks, including curing and testing. Delaware has no active facilities, so no in-state timeline exists today.

When does a funeral establishment license expire in Delaware?

June 30 of every even-numbered year. The next expiration is June 30, 2026. Renewal opens 60 days earlier on the DELPROS portal, and the board sends no automatic paper notice. Miss the date and a $25 late penalty applies. After 30 days the license lapses and you must apply for reinstatement. Set a reminder for May 1 of even years so you're not caught short.

What is the renewal fee for a Delaware funeral home license?

The renewal fee is $200, paid biennially through the DELPROS portal. That matches the initial funeral establishment application fee. Pay by June 30 of each even-numbered year. Late renewals add a $25 penalty. This $200 covers the funeral establishment license only. It does not include any future natural organic reduction endorsement or facility registration Delaware might add if a bill like HB 160 becomes law.

Is there a late fee for funeral establishment renewal?

Yes. A $25 late penalty applies. After 30 days past expiration, the license lapses and you must apply for reinstatement, which is a longer and costlier process than a routine renewal. Renew on time and you skip all of it.

Has Delaware passed a human composting law?

No. House Bill 160 passed the House in 2023 but was tabled in a Senate committee. No law has been enacted. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Eric Morrison, passed the House 33-7 on June 15, 2023. The Senate Health and Social Services Committee held one hearing on June 29 and tabled it. No similar bill has been introduced in the 153rd or 154th General Assembly as of mid-2025, so NOR still isn't a lawful disposition method in Delaware.

Can the Board of Funeral Services legalize human composting without a new law?

No. The board can only regulate what the legislature authorizes. A statutory change is required before natural organic reduction can become a lawful method of disposition. Rulemaking follows the law, not the other way around.

Can I operate a human composting business in Delaware with just a funeral establishment license?

No. Offering natural organic reduction without explicit legal authority counts as unlicensed funeral directing. Wait for a bill to pass and the board to adopt rules before you take a single case. Doing otherwise risks discipline against the license you already hold.

How often does the Delaware funeral board meet?

The Delaware Board of Funeral Services meets quarterly. Schedules and minutes post on the Division of Professional Regulation's funeral services page. The board has seven members: five funeral directors, one public member, and one medical professional. They handle licensure, discipline, inspections, and any future NOR rules. If you plan to offer human composting after a law passes, watch those agendas for facility, odor, and soil-testing guidelines.

Will the $200 renewal fee cover human composting when it becomes legal?

Probably not. Other states charge separate fees for NOR facility registration or endorsement, on top of the funeral establishment license fee. Colorado charges $1,200 a year for NOR facility registration plus $400 biennially for the funeral establishment license. Oregon pairs a funeral establishment license with an NOR-specific permit. Delaware's board would set its own structure. Renewal would likely stay biennial, but budget for a second fee.

Where can I track Delaware's human composting legislation?

Search the Delaware General Assembly website for 'HB 160' or any future bill number. The Board of Funeral Services fee page is at dpr.delaware.gov/boards/funeralservices/fees/. Bookmark both. The 154th General Assembly runs 2025 to 2026, and no NOR bill had been filed as of August 2026. If a bill is introduced, track committee hearings the same way HB 160 moved through the House and then stalled in the Senate Health and Social Services Committee.

Sources

1. Delaware Code Online, Title 24, Chapter 31, § 3105: Funeral establishment licenses expire on June 30 of each even-numbered year.
2. Delaware Code Online, Title 24, Chapter 31, § 3102: Licensing requirement for funeral directing, no person may engage in funeral directing without a license.
3. Delaware Division of Professional Regulation, Funeral Services Fee Schedule: Funeral establishment license renewal fee $200, initial application fee $200.
4. Delaware General Assembly, HB 160 Bill Detail (152nd General Assembly): HB 160 passed House, tabled in Senate committee; did not become law. Bill text defines natural organic reduction.
5. Delaware Public Media, 'Delaware bill to allow human composting tabled in committee': The bill was tabled on June 29, 2023, and not brought to a floor vote.
6. NPR, 'What's it cost to compost a human? Around $5,000, say advocates': Human composting in states where it's legal costs $5,000 to $7,000 on average.
7. Recompose FAQ: Natural organic reduction process takes approximately 30 days.
8. Washington State University, 'WSU study shows human composting safe': NOR produces soil in 30 days, safe for unrestricted use.
9. Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Office of Funeral Home and Crematory Registration Fees: Funeral establishment renewal $400 biennially; natural organic reduction facility registration $1,200 annually.
10. Oregon Mortuary and Cemetery Board, Natural Organic Reduction: A funeral establishment license is required to offer NOR in Oregon.