Last updated 2026-08-18
TL;DR
Human composting is not legal in California as of August 2026. Two bills failed. No license or facility can exist yet. If the law changes, the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau would regulate it under crematory rules. Prices in legal states run $4,950 to $7,000, and the active process takes about 30 to 45 days.
Is human composting legal in California right now?
No. Human composting, called natural organic reduction (NOR) in the bills, is not a lawful way to handle a body in California as of August 2026. The Business and Professions Code only authorizes burial, entombment, and cremation by fire or alkaline hydrolysis. The Code defines cremation as “the reduction of dead human bodies to essential elements by incineration, exposure to intense heat, or any other process, including but not limited to, dissolution of dead human bodies by alkaline hydrolysis” [1]. Aerobic decomposition in a vessel, which is what NOR does, does not fit that definition. So no funeral establishment can offer NOR, and the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau cannot issue a license for a human composting facility.
Two bills tried to add NOR as a new form of final disposition. Assembly Bill 2596, introduced in 2022, defined NOR as “the contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil” [2]. It passed the legislature and got vetoed by Governor Newsom in September 2022. A follow-up bill, AB 264, introduced in 2023, never reached a vote. The path is blocked right now.
What is the status of human composting legislation in California?
Two bills matter here: AB 2596 (2022) and AB 264 (2023). AB 2596, authored by Assemblymember Cristina Garcia, would have added natural organic reduction to the list of authorized disposition methods and told the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau to write regulations by January 1, 2024. It passed the Assembly and Senate with wide support. Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed it on September 18, 2022. His veto message said the bill “creates a separate set of standards for the reduction of human remains” and asked for a unified regulatory approach [3].
AB 264, introduced in 2023, tried to answer the Governor by folding NOR into the existing cremation framework. It stalled in the Assembly Appropriations Committee and died without a floor vote. No new bill has been introduced since. The deadlock holds.
If California legalizes human composting, who regulates it?
If a future bill copies AB 264’s structure, NOR would be regulated as a type of cremation by the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau (CFB), part of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. The CFB already licenses funeral establishments and crematories across the state [4]. Under the proposed framework, a human composting facility would need a crematory license or a funeral establishment license that carries NOR disposition authority.
The Bureau would write specific rules for facility design, processing, pathogen reduction, heavy metal testing, and soil testing. The exact requirements stay unknown until a bill passes and regulations get drafted. The Bureau’s current crematory license rules give a rough template though: a completed application, a processing room with approved ventilation, recordkeeping for each body, and inspections.
Do you need a license for human composting in California?
Right now you cannot get one, because NOR isn’t legal. If the law changes, yes, you will need a license. The likely path is a crematory license from the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau for the specific purpose of natural organic reduction. Under current crematory rules, an applicant must be at least 18, pass a background check, hold a fixed business location that meets local zoning, and pay the initial crematory license application fee ($830) [5].
New regulations would also demand a facility design that keeps each body separate during the 30- to 60-day decomposition cycle, temperature and moisture controls, and pathogen and heavy-metal testing of the finished soil. AB 264 said the soil must be tested for Salmonella, fecal coliform, and arsenic, among other things [6]. Expect a multi-step application. Submit plans. Pass an initial inspection. Get provisional operating approval, then a final license after you show compliance.
How much does human composting cost in California?
No California facility exists, so there’s no local price. Providers in Washington and other states charge $4,950 to $7,000 for a standard NOR service [8][10][11]. Those prices usually cover body transport, the whole reduction process, and return of soil to the family. In California, expect a similar range plus some extras: Los Angeles County business taxes, higher real estate costs, and added state compliance expenses.
A realistic California price would land around $5,500 at the low end and $8,000 at the high end, once you factor in operating costs against those states. The real number depends on facility design, volume, and how the Bureau sets fees. Some providers elsewhere offer prepayment or membership plans that drop the cost to around $4,950. When the state opens, competition might keep prices in that window.
How long does human composting take in California?
If NOR becomes legal, expect a 30- to 45-day active decomposition phase, then 2 to 4 weeks of soil curing. Recompose in Washington runs a 30-day cycle using a set recipe of alfalfa, straw, and wood chips in an insulated vessel [11].
California’s warmer weather might shave off a little time, but the state will almost certainly require pathogen testing before soil goes back to a family, which adds about a week. Figure six to eight weeks from receiving a body to returning soil. The exact timeline gets set in regulations and could stretch longer if the Bureau mandates a longer safety hold.
What can you do now to prepare for a human composting business in California?
You cannot apply for a license. You can get ready.
- Study the bills: read the full text of AB 2596 and AB 264 to learn the likely standards [2][6].
- Secure a location: zoning decides a lot here. Talk to city planners about industrial or agricultural zones where crematories are allowed. Many California cities restrict crematories to industrial zones, and NOR will probably face the same treatment.
- Draft a business plan using real numbers from Washington providers. Factor in California’s higher minimum wage, workers’ comp, and real estate.
- Build crematory manager experience: the CFB requires a licensed crematory manager on staff. Getting that license now means a two-year apprenticeship under a licensed crematory manager [9]. That could be your fastest route once NOR is legal.
How do you advocate for human composting in California?
The main obstacle is legislative will. If you want to speed up legalization, join a state NOR advocacy coalition or a national group. Write to your Assembly member. Attend hearings. Share data from Washington and Colorado, where NOR has run safely for years. The more support the Bureau sees from the funeral industry, the easier a new bill passes.
HumusPath’s NOR Facilitator Statute Kit ($199 one-time) includes a legislative tracking template and state-specific bill analysis to help you stay current. The real work is local networking though. A bill moves when constituents and licensed operators show up.
What happens when the law changes? Steps to get a license
Once a bill becomes law and the Bureau finalizes regulations, here is a likely sequence:
1. Confirm the effective date and any transitional provisions in the new statute. 2. Apply for a crematory license with the CFB, submitting detailed facility plans and a processing protocol that meets the new regulations. 3. Obtain local zoning approval and a city business license. 4. Build or retrofit your facility to spec, including separate reduction vessels, temperature controls, and air handling. 5. Schedule a pre-operational inspection by the CFB. If approved, receive a provisional license. 6. Begin operations under supervision and submit quarterly soil test results for the first year. 7. After you show consistent compliance, the Bureau issues a full, renewable license.
How does California compare to states where NOR is legal?
Several states have legalized human composting, each with its own framework. The table below lays out the comparison. If California legalizes, it will probably follow the Colorado or Vermont model of folding NOR into existing funeral establishment and crematory rules.
| State | Legalization Year | Regulator | Typical Provider Price (2026) | Processing Time | Soil Testing Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 2019 | Dept. of Licensing | $7,000 [11] | 30 days [11] | Yes |
| Colorado | 2021 | Dept. of Regulatory Agencies | $4,950 [8] | 30 to 45 days | Yes |
| Oregon | 2021 | Mortuary and Cemetery Board | $5,500 | 30 to 45 days | Yes |
| Vermont | 2022 | Secretary of State | $5,500 | 30 to 60 days | Yes |
| New York | 2022 | Dept. of Health | N/A (still drafting rules) | N/A | Yes |
Read our full guides on how to start human composting in Colorado[link: /articles/state-guides/how-to-start-human-composting-in-colorado] and Vermont[link: /articles/state-guides/how-to-start-human-composting-in-vermont]. Also see the license article for California[link: /articles/state-guides/human-composting-license-california] and Utah renewal details[link: /articles/state-guides/human-composting-renewal-utah] as you compare.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license for human composting in California?
Not yet, because the practice isn’t legal. If a bill passes, you will need a crematory license from the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau. The section above walks through the likely requirements: an application, facility plans, an inspection, and a provisional license before a full one.
How much does human composting cost in California?
No California-specific price exists. Based on providers in legal states, expect $4,950 to $8,000 per service. The final figure depends on real estate costs, local fees, and Bureau rules. Prepaid or membership plans in other states can drop the cost to around $4,950.
How long does human composting take in California?
In other states, active reduction takes about 30 days, plus 2 to 4 weeks of curing. California will likely require a similar duration, with a possible extra week for mandated pathogen testing before soil release. Figure six to eight weeks total from receiving a body to returning soil.
What is natural organic reduction?
Natural organic reduction (NOR) is the contained, accelerated composting of human remains into soil. A body goes into a vessel with wood chips, alfalfa, and straw, and microbes break it down over several weeks. The process produces about a cubic yard of soil per person.
Can I pre-apply for a human composting license in California?
No. The Cemetery and Funeral Bureau cannot accept or process an application for an activity that no statute authorizes. There is no waiting list and no provisional form. Spend the interim on zoning talks, a facility plan, and a crematory manager apprenticeship so you can file the day a statute takes effect.
If I live in California, can I use an out-of-state NOR provider?
Yes. You can arrange transport of a deceased person’s body to Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, or New York for human composting. The receiving provider handles the permits. Expect an extra transport fee, which can run several thousand dollars depending on distance and method.
What soil testing standards would California likely require?
AB 264 proposed testing the final soil for Salmonella, fecal coliform, heavy metals (like arsenic and lead), and residual pharmaceuticals. If new legislation copies that language, these become the minimum tests before soil returns to a family.
How much does a crematory license cost in California?
As of 2026, the CFB charges an $830 initial application fee for a crematory license, according to the Bureau’s fee schedule [5]. A NOR-specific license, if one gets created, may carry the same fee or a new one set by regulation.
What zoning is needed for a human composting facility?
Crematories in California are typically allowed in industrial or heavy commercial zones. An NOR facility would likely fall in the same category. Check with your city’s planning department early, because a location that fails zoning can sink a business plan before it starts.
How do I become a crematory manager in California?
You complete a two-year apprenticeship under a licensed crematory manager, pass an exam, and submit an application with fees [9]. Getting that license now positions you to run an NOR facility later, since the Bureau requires a licensed crematory manager on staff.
What’s the difference between AB 2596 and AB 264?
AB 2596 would have created a standalone section for NOR. AB 264 folded it into the existing cremation chapter instead. Governor Newsom’s veto of AB 2596 cited the need for a unified regulatory approach, which AB 264 tried to provide.
Where can I advocate for human composting in California?
Reach out to your state Assembly member and Senator. Track bills on the California Legislative Information site. Join a state NOR coalition or a national group like the Order of the Good Death. Public comment periods carry real weight, so watch the calendar.
Will the Governor’s stance change?
Nobody can guarantee a future signature. The veto message focused on regulatory structure, not opposition to the concept itself. A bill with tighter integration into cremation law, backed by the CFB, could have a better shot at passing.
Sources
- California Business and Professions Code § 7616: Cremation is defined as reduction by incineration, intense heat, or dissolution; aerobic decomposition does not fit.
- California Assembly Bill 2596 (2022), Chaptered text (version vetoed): AB 2596 defined natural organic reduction as the contained, accelerated conversion of human remains to soil.
- Governor Gavin Newsom, AB 2596 Veto Message: The Governor’s veto message said the bill creates a separate set of standards and called for a unified approach.
- California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau: The CFB licenses funeral establishments and crematories in California.
- Cemetery and Funeral Bureau, Fee Schedule: The initial crematory license application fee is $830.
- California Assembly Bill 264 (2023), introduced version: AB 264 required soil testing for Salmonella, fecal coliform, and arsenic.
- Earth Funeral, Pricing page: Earth Funeral offers NOR for a prepaid price of $4,950.
- Return Home, Pricing page: Return Home in Washington charges $4,950 for a pre-paid NOR service.
- Recompose, Frequently Asked Questions: The active reduction process at Recompose takes about 30 days, and the service costs about $7,000.