Humusation, or “human composting,” is now legal in New York State. Already authorized in five other US states, the practice is considered an ecological alternative to burial or cremation.
Humusization consists in depositing the remains in crushed plants and, thanks to the action of microorganisms, it is transformed into fertile soil. The practice is not yet legal in Switzerland and Europe.
“I have many people interested in humusation. They also ask me when it will be legalized,” says Sarah Joliat, co-director of the Funeral Pumps of Léman and president of the Humusation Suisse association, who welcomes the decision. of New York State.
Following an arrestthe canton of Vaud, for example, says it wants to “develop scientific research” on this issue.
>> Read more: Composting of the dead, the theme of “humusation” is launched in Switzerland.
The opposition of the Catholic Church
In Belgium, several associations are very active. As for France, Sarah Joliat is in close contact with the national section of the Humusation association. “In France it freezes a bit, he said, on Saturday at 12:30 on RTS. They have contacts with several deputies and senators who help them bring the topic publicly. They will test pigs. They were supposed to do it in 2022, but the tests have been postponed until next spring”.
Before New York State legalized humusation, the Catholic Church opposed the project. He explained that “composting is a process used for household or agricultural waste, and does not offer the respect due to bodily remains”.
Pauline Rappaz/Rehearsals
